A Gentle Reminder For the 13th General Election: RM1.9 Million Ringgit UMNO Cuti Lawatan Sambil ‘Belajar’
Dr Xavier Jayakumar
After a gruelling seven days, the public inquiry into possible misuse of funds by Wives of Selangor Elected Representatives Charity Organisation (BALKIS) ended yesterday, leaving those who attended reeling from the revelations.
For more than a week, details of money spent on exotic trips, overseas souvenir – shopping expeditions and gifts for guests attending glitzy functions, kept members of the Selangor State Assembly’s Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) riveted as the figures continued to rise.
The inquiry is the first to be conducted by a State Legislative Assembly in the country. Other states are widely expected to follow suit following the conclusion of the Balkis inquiry.
Yesterday, PNSB chief executive officer Datin Khairiyah Abu Hassan dropped a bombshell when she further revealed how much the State-owned conglomerate had forked out for former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo and his family’s expenses during the overseas technical visits.
She also drew hoots of laughter when she explained the reasons for the trips.
1. Jakarta and Jogjakarta, Indonesia; 20-24 April 2003
Total cost: RM201,452
Dr Khir, his wife, daughter and maid also went on the trip. The purpose was for delegates ‘to study’ Indonesia’s batik production which was supposed to lead to the opening of a batik factory in Selangor.
Cost of airfare for Dr Khir, his wife, daughter and maid: RM37,695
Miscellaneous cost incurred by the delegates: RM34,404
Spent on two-day rental of a limousine / Mercedes Benz in Jakarta: RM5,800
Paid for two-day rental of a limousine / Mercedes Benz in Jogjakarta: RM5,000
2. Morocco and Paris: 17-24 December 2004
(inclusive of four-day transit in Dubai)
Total cost: RM900,000
The trip, attended by Dr Khir, his wife, children and maid as well as PNSB delegates, was ‘to study’ Islamic architecture, which could be adopted in Selangor.
The group, which had a reconnaissance trip beforehand, also visited Paris Disneyland to generate ideas for a theme park in Bagan Lalang, Sepang.
They bought tickets to enter the theme park and did not meet any Disneyland representatives.
Cost of official trip: RM416,000
Airfare: RM366,000
Ground arrangements: RM420,000
City travel: RM70,000
Other expenses: RM43,000
