KUALA LUMPUR – The Keluarga Malaysia branding advanced by former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN) was over 341 times more costly than predecessor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s (Pagoh-PN) Kerajaan Prihatin.
This is despite Ismail Sabri, who was prime minister for 14 months, holding the post for a slightly shorter length of time than Muhyiddin, who was head of government for 17 months from March 2020.
In a written parliamentary reply, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (Papar-GRS) said RM62.1 million was spent on promoting the Keluarga Malaysia agenda.
In contrast, Muhyiddin’s Kerajaan Prihatin concept cost RM181,752 while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s (Tambun-PH) Malaysia Madani agenda, which was launched on January 18, has Putrajaya forking out RM489,216 as of January 30.
“Based on financial records from the Prime Minister’s Office, the organisation of programmes related to the rebranding of administrations have spent RM62.8 million.
“The total expenses are based on roadshow and tour programmes implemented from the administration of the eighth prime minister (Muhyiddin) up to now,” Armizan said in response to a question posed by Aminolhuda Hasan (Sri Gading-PH) on the total amount spent on rebranding efforts.
Armizan added that only one programme was carried out under the Kerajaan Prihatin agenda during Muhyiddin’s time since the country was placed under a movement control order due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – The Vibes, February 15, 2023
