KUALA LUMPUR – A police report has been lodged to demand an explanation and investigation on the whopping RM700 million spent by the two previous administrations for publicity purposes.
The complainant lodged the report at the Setapak police station here today, after reading a news article by Utusan Malaysia dated November 11 stating that the amount spent was to publicise the agenda of former governments from 2020 to 2022.
“The amount spent is huge – I feel it is not appropriate and demand that there be details of where this RM700 million of people’s money was spent by the previous governments.
“As a Malaysian, I have the right to know. I also demand that the investigation be done immediately,” according to the report sighted by Scoop.
When contacted, Wangsa Maju police chief Ashari Abu Samah said the case has been referred to the Finance Ministry.
In November, the ministry revealed that the federal government spent nearly RM700 million on advertising, promotion, and publicity work from 2020 to 2022 to disseminate its agenda.
The previous two administrations incurred the expenses to promote its achievements and efforts through all media platforms – including social and print media, billboards, as well as television and radio.
Recently, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the people have the right to know about the “significant” expenditure, and whether it was recorded properly.
In February 2020, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed prime minister following the Sheraton Move and collapse of the Pakatan Harapan-led government.
His tenure continued until August 16, 2021, before stepping down after losing support in Dewan Rakyat.
He was succeeded by Umno’s Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on August 21 of the same year, who led the country until October 10, 2022 – when he announced the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for a general election.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was then chosen to lead the unity government and was sworn in as prime minister on November 24, 2022. – December 30, 2023