Gov't urged to justify RM48m upkeep of PM, DPM residences

Seri Perdana PM's residence

The government has been asked to justify the high cost of maintaining the official prime minister and deputy prime minister's residences at a time when the government is slashing subsidies for essential goods.

PAS women's wing deputy chief Siti Maria Mahmud said that this was necessary because the government is asking the public to adjust their lifestyles to meet the current economic environment.

"When it comes to educating the public about savings, it should start with the leader," Siti Maria Mahmud told reporters at the parliament lobby today.

DPM Putrajaya residence

Siti Maria was commenting on a Parliamentary written reply to Rantau Panjang MP Ziti Zailah Mohd Yusof, who is also the wing's chief, by the prime minister's department.

According to the written reply, RM48 million was spent between 2006 and 2010 to maintain the residences of the two national leaders.

"It costs so much and yet those residence are not in use all the time," commented Siti Zailah, who was also present.

According to the written reply, almost RM33 million was spent on rental alone for both properties during that period. Rental was paid to Perbadanan Putrajaya.

RM33,000 monthly water bill?

Another RM3.5 million was spent on repair work, RM10.2 million on electricity and RM1.9 million on the water bill.

"We never knew how big is the family of the prime minister and deputy prime minister, until now," chimed in DAP youth chief Anthony Loke, who was also at the press conference.

Prime Minister's residence

He contended that if the amount is divided up from five years and then by month, the end result will show that they government paid RM160,000 a month for electricity and RM33,000 a month for water for both official residences.

"That is enough to pay my electricity bill for 100 years and enough water for 6,000 people," he said incredulously.

Siti Maria who is also Kota Raja parliamentarian added that the government must be transparent with the rental contract it signed with Perbadanan Putrajaya on the rental of the two properties and whether in the long term after paying such a high rental, the government will get to own the properties.

Hazlan Zakaria

Subsidies gone to the elites

While the government is calling for review of subsidies on fuel, sugar and other necessity items, it has been issuing about 100,000 APs (Approved Permits) per year to only 78 companies at RM10,000 per AP whilst the market price per AP is RM40,000. Well, this figure comes up to a total of RM4billion.

Gas is sold to IPPs at RM10 per barrel whilst the market price should be RM40 per barrel. How much gas is sold is not revealed to the public and it could cost billions of ringgit subsidy to IPP (Independent Power Producers) who in turn earns billions of ringgit.

If these malpractices can be stopped the savings or profits to the government are enough to pay for the subsidies for fuel, gas, sugar and etc to the common folks.

And it is just as much surprising and illogical that Sabah, one of the 'oil rich' producing 'states' in Malaysia should actually be enjoying the profits made by Petronas due to the world fuel price hike but unfortunately, the people are made to pay more for their own domestic fuel.