RM94mil bill for 'dishonest' public relations: Najib slammed for tarnishing nation

Prime Minister Najib Razak paid RM94million to UK media consultant FBC Media for a series of articles that deliberately painted the country and his administration in a better light than it really was.

In a written reply a question raised in Parliament by PKR MP for Batu MP Tian Chua, Najib finally admitted the payment was for “consultancy services, advice and management of a communication campaign”.

RM94 million whopper

Since whistle-blower website Sarawak Report broke the news, Najib has refused to comment on about FBC, which is now the subject of a probe by the UK industry regulator for pushing out paid-for 'propaganda in the guise of independent news.

On Tuesday, Najib said the government had paid 19.6 million Euros (RM94 million) to media consultancy company FBC Media for the duration of three years from 2007.

He also admitted he had instructed FBC Media to produce 'glowing' programmes for broadcast by BBC under its news segment, which experts say would be tantamount to news fabrication.

“The yearly contract was renewed twice and terminated in 2010. The value of the contract for the three years is 19.6 million Euros,” the PM said in his written reply. “The production and broadcast of programmes on Malaysia in international media is part of our efforts to improve Malaysia’s profile internationally, as stipulated in the contract with FBC Media.”

Apologise and take responsibility

Apart from the UK industry regulator, FBC has been suspended and under internal probe by international broadcasters such as CNBC, BBC and US magazine The Atlantic.

PKR lawmakers fumed over the way Najib had casually shied away after providing the statistics, refusing to apologise or to take responsibility for tarnishing the country's image.

"We can see the huge bill for foreign consultants APCO, McKenzie and now FBC Media. APCO was linked to Zionist elements and FBC is involved in unethical practices," Tian told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Obviously, we are not happy about the wanton spending. BN won't dare to curb Najib. The people must insist on checks to prevent such reckless spending just to boost his personal vanity."

Apart from FBC, Najib also paid at least RM77 million to New York-based APCO. If the fees paid to McKenzie were also included, pundits said the total bill could easily exceed RM200 million.

The FBC bill also follows another expenditure shocker, revelaed by the foreign affairs ministry on Tuesday.

Najib and wife Rosmah Mansor spent more than RM1 million during their recent trip to Kazakhstan, where they were accused of bringing personal guests on public money to attend their daughter's engagement party.

Malaysia Chronicle