KUALA LUMPUR – The role of special envoys under the Prime Minister’s Department is being questioned by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“In the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD), there are already five full ministers and five deputy ministers. And, we can see the list of appointments in the PMD for 2021; there are special advisers for media and communications, and economy, as well as special envoys to the Middle East, East Asia and China, as well as an adviser for public health.
“With these envoys (under the PMD), what is the role of the foreign minister? Why do we have to burden the people with such high administrative costs?” Anwar said in his Budget debate speech.
Anwar said the roles these special envoys play overlap with the tasks of the foreign minister and diplomatic officers.
“When we talk about the Covid-19 crisis, it doesn’t make sense to pay the salaries of those holding positions that are not required. Where are they (special envoys)? They are all in Kuala Lumpur.”
He questioned the RM1.06 billion increase in allocations for the PMD, saying administrative costs for the department alone stands at RM482.4 million, a 10.7% increase from the previous year.
“I want to press this matter because we have said this is going to be a Covid-19 Budget. And, while we give RM300 to policemen and fishermen, they have increased the administration allocation for the PMD by 10.7%, or RM482.4 million.
“What has been emphasised is the extreme spending costs for 32 ministers and 38 deputy ministers.”
Meanwhile, Anwar also questioned emoluments given to contract staff.
He said that for 2021, the allocation for contract staff has been increased to RM200 million, an RM184.1 million increase from this year. – The Vibes, November 30, 2020
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