DAP claims irregularities in Tourism Minister’s overseas expenditure

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — The DAP claimed irregularities today in Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen’s overseas expenditure figures which were given to Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs.

DAP Socialist Youth Chief (Dapsy) Anthony Loke said that that the Tourism Minister’s written reply to him on Monday stated that the total costs for her overseas trips from January to October 2010 amounted to RM1.28 million.

This, he said was in contrast with the figures given to Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on October 26, where the ministry had said that she spent about RM 1.58 million for overseas trips this year.

“I want to say that I am personally touched by the tourist, I mean tourism minister, for personally handing me over the answers to my question on Monday, after I had had raised in the Dewan that I had not received answers and it was already 7pm on that day.

“But the very next day, which was yesterday, the minister came to me with another answer, saying that the one I received had errors in it. I have checked with Pakatan as well as BN MPs, the answers given to them were different,” said Loke.

The Rasah MP pointed out that based on the reply given to him, Ng’s trip to Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait from May 4-12 cost RM97,000.

However, the same question had been asked by Chua on October 19, but the reply from the ministry stated that Ng’s trip to the Arab countries cost RM 240,145 instead.

“We do not which one is the correct answer. We are directing the minister to please tell us, clarify this. This is unprofessional on the part of the minister. Please do not give us answers which are contradictory,” said Loke.

Loke also questioned the rationale for Ng’s trip to Europe from May 25-31 for 7 days which cost RM491,987.

“Half a million spent in seven days for trips to London, Munich and Milan? I want the minister to justify why the need to spend that much money for this trip. Please clarify,” added Loke.

The Tourism Ministry had stated on October 26 that Ng (picture) spent RM3.5 million on overseas trips since she was appointed tourism minister in 2009.

In a written reply to Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat the, the Tourism Ministry said Ng spent RM1.67 million on official overseas trips in 2009, and RM1.58 million between January and October this year.

“The tourism minister has made 16 visits overseas since being appointed. These visits include 26 countries, and 61 cities up to October 2010,” said the written reply.

The reply added that the ministry’s efforts overseas had earned Malaysia a ninth out of tenth placing in the “most popularly visited countries” in 2009.

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