KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi-Pejuang) has questioned the spending of RM38.5 million, believed to be referring to the renovation of the Seri Perdana complex.
In Dewan Rakyat today, he said that the “government has spent RM600 billion and we have been told that there is no more money left”.
“Then there’s RM38.5 million for a certain project? I don’t think I need to name that project.”
Yesterday, Special Functions Minister Datuk Abd Latiff Ahmad said plans to renovate the Seri Perdana Complex for RM38.5 million were greenlit in March this year under the purview of then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a statement, Latiff said the 22-year-old complex, which began construction in 1997 and was completed in 1999, has suffered numerous damages over the years.
“As such, the Public Works Department (PWD) had prepared a scope of restoration work with the overall cost at RM38.5 million for the project, including for works to fix the electrical wiring systems and roof leaks within the complex.
“The project was approved on March 19 and repair work commenced on March 29. All works are scheduled to be completed by December 7 this year,” he said.
Latiff’s response came after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told the Dewan Rakyat that the renovations at Seri Perdana are necessary to ensure safety, as well as to preserve the country’s image during visits by key dignitaries.
The explanation comes after Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PH) sought justification for the spending at a time when Malaysians are reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, Muhyiddin in April said the Perikatan Nasional government under his leadership allocated RM340 billion to roll out the economic stimulus packages for this year and last year as well as RM322.5 billion for the 2021 Budget to battle Covid-19 and revitalise the economy. – The Vibes, September 30, 2021
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