Last updated on 28 June 2011 - 08:21pm
KUALA LUMPUR (June 28, 2011): Opposition MPs are questioning the high cost of maintainenance on the residences of the prime minister and his deputy.
In a written reply to Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that a total of RM48,789,115.03 was needed for the rental of the two official residences, cost of repairs, water and electricity bills from 2006 until 2010.
The rental cost for the two residences amounted to RM32,972,115.55 while the repairs cost RM3,581,744.78.
The electricity bill cost RM10,267,868.15 and the water bill totalled RM1,967,386.55. It should be noted that Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the prime minister from 2004 to 2008 while Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak was his deputy. Najib only took office in April, 2009.
In a press conference today, Siti Zailah said it such expenses were such a waste, adding that it was hypocritical of the government to rationalise subsidies for the people yet it is not put into practice by the country’s top leaders.
“We can see the wastage for the country’s top leaders. At a time when they tell us we should adapt to harder economic times, the government is using huge amount of taxpayers’ money for their houses.
“We know that the official residences are only used during official functions so I find it hard to believe the amount paid for water and electricity. Do they have functions every day?” questioned Siti Zailah.
She also said the government needs to be transparent about its contract with Putrajaya Corporation, the local authority that owns the two official residences.
“Are they going to continue to rent the residences and pay so much for the coming years or will the government eventually own it? We want to know the terms of this agreement,” said Siti Zailah.
Fellow MP Dr Siti Mariah (PAS-Kota Raja) asked if there was any long-term plan to reduce the cost, adding that the leaders should “lead by example” by cutting down their own expenses.
Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah) said the amount spent on water and electricity was shocking as an average upper middle class family spends about RM150 to RM300 montly.
“Does Najib have a big family? I don’t think so. I spent about RM150 for electricity and I have a big family. You can pay the power bill for 3,000 families with what the prime minister and his deputy are paying for theirs,” he said.
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