Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's office has refuted “malicious” claims that he is now on a five-day “golfing holiday” in Dubai, saying that his itinerary is actually filled with official duties.
In a lengthy explanation on his official Facebook page, Muhyiddin's office said DAP MPs Zairil Khir Johari and Steven Sim had made those assertions based only on a “draft” schedule.
“The document exposed by the MPs is not the actual working schedule for the DPM's Dubai trip but an early draft which had not been finalised...
“In the final schedule, the DPM has a tight schedule filled with official activities in Dubai,” it said.
This, it said, included giving a keynote address at the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Annual Investment Meeting and meeting top UAE government officials.
It added that the DAP MPs had “irresponsibly” made the allegations without first checking the veracity of the document, which was first leaked in an anonymous blog.
“We regret this irresponsible act of trying to portray the DPM's visit to Dubai, which is aimed at strengthening two-way ties between the nations and attract foreign investors, as a holiday and waste of taxpayers' funds,” it said.
Big delegation not explained
However, the statement does not explain why Muhyiddin was accompanied by a delegation of 16 people, including his wife, a private secretary, a press secretary, two political secretaries, four special officers and seven security personnel.
His office said Muhyiddin's schedule on his Apr 7 - 12 visit includes the following:
In a lengthy explanation on his official Facebook page, Muhyiddin's office said DAP MPs Zairil Khir Johari and Steven Sim had made those assertions based only on a “draft” schedule.
“The document exposed by the MPs is not the actual working schedule for the DPM's Dubai trip but an early draft which had not been finalised...
“In the final schedule, the DPM has a tight schedule filled with official activities in Dubai,” it said.
This, it said, included giving a keynote address at the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Annual Investment Meeting and meeting top UAE government officials.
It added that the DAP MPs had “irresponsibly” made the allegations without first checking the veracity of the document, which was first leaked in an anonymous blog.
“We regret this irresponsible act of trying to portray the DPM's visit to Dubai, which is aimed at strengthening two-way ties between the nations and attract foreign investors, as a holiday and waste of taxpayers' funds,” it said.
Big delegation not explained
However, the statement does not explain why Muhyiddin was accompanied by a delegation of 16 people, including his wife, a private secretary, a press secretary, two political secretaries, four special officers and seven security personnel.
His office said Muhyiddin's schedule on his Apr 7 - 12 visit includes the following:
- A keynote address at the UAE government's Annual Investment Meeting.
- A meet with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammad Rashid Al-Maktoum and other heads of states, to share Malaysia's experience in attracting foreign investment
- Attending the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition 2014
- A meet with UAE Minister of Culture Shaikh Nahyan Mubarak Al-Nahyan and UAE Education Minister Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami to promote Malaysia as a higher education destination.
- A meet with private education provider GEMS Education chairperson Sunny Varkey on investment in Malaysia.
- Launching the Malaysia pavilion at the Dubai Exhibition and Conference Centre
- Two dinners with “notable” business figures from UAE and Malaysia, sponsored by Syarikat Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd and Dubai businessman Essa Al-Ghurair.
- Meeting with Yusuf Ali MA, EMKE Lulu Group of Companies, on a halal hypermarket chain with Felda.
- Golf with Malaysia and UAE businessmen, and another golf event hosted by Tourism Malaysia to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
- Talent Corp's dinner with the Malaysian diaspora.
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