KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli-Bersatu) revealed that the cost to prepare the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) was only RM4.2 million and not RM2 billion as alleged by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH).
During his winding-up speech in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mustapa said the national development plan was prepared by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and not outsourced to foreign consultants.
“I need to explain to the Port Dickson MP that 12MP was not compiled by foreign consultants but by EPU officers with the cooperation of various ministries, agencies, and the support of several stakeholders.
“The preparation of the plan only involves a very small cost for discussions, printing, and media consultants, which is RM4.2 million. It’s not RM2 billion.
“Therefore, the Port Dickson MP’s claims are baseless.”
On September 28, Anwar lambasted the purported spending of more than RM2 billion to foreign consultants to prepare the 12MP.
He argued that it would have been wiser to spend the money on local experts, who would have a better understanding of the country’s situation.
Later that same day, Mustapa denied Anwar’s claims and voiced his hope that the latter would correct his statement to avoid any negative perception of EPU officers and the government. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021
