Shangri-La: PMO did not pay for birthday bash

Shangri-La Hotel has clarified the issue over billings to the Prime Minister's Office in relation to Najib Tun Razak's birthday bash.

PETALING JAYA: Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur has clarified that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak personally paid for his birthday bash.

Responding to a query from FMT regarding his birthday bash held at Putrajaya on June 24 last year, Shangri-La confirmed that they provided outside catering services for the event.

The hotel management also confirmed that payment for the event was made by Najib himself the following month.

“Upon completion of the catering event on June 24, the hotel received full payment from the Honorable Prime Minister on Aug 16, 2011,

“We confirm that the abovementioned event was not paid by the Prime Minister’s Office,”said the management in an email reply.

The issue arose following allegations by PKR that Najib was abusing the official functions of the PMO for private purposes.

Last week, PKR’s strategic director, Rafizi Ramli showed Banquent Event Order (BEO) for the birthday celebrations which was billed to the PMO.

Rafizi argued that the bill should have been addressed to the Najib’s personal account instead.

Almost RM80,000 was spend on the event for around 100 guests.

Prior to this, PKR also made allegations that Najib’s daughter’s engagement party held on June 17 in Putrajaya was also billed to the PMO.

In response to this allegation, the PMO denied footing the bill for the event which came up to RM409, 767 for about 900 guests.

The hotel then also clarified that Najib had paid for this event on June 30.