Najib has RM8.5 billion ‘slush’ funds in Budget 2016, says opposition

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has allocated RM8.5 billion to his own department, which he may spend as he wishes. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 27, 2015.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has allocated RM8.5 billion to the Prime Minister’s Department in Budget 2016, which could be spent at his discretion without Cabinet approval, Pakatan Harapan’s economic committee said today.

DAP’s Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said several ambiguous allocations totalling RM8.5 billion were given to the department under Budget 2016, which Najib tabled in Parliament last Friday.

“This allocation gives the chance for the PM to play politics by awarding projects,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Liew said Najib should declare their real purpose and expenditure.

He also labelled the funds as “Dana ikut suka hati Najib” (Najib-can-spend-as-he-wishes fund).

Among the details of the RM 8.5 billion fund were allocations for “rearranging society” and “facilitation fund”.

The sum is part of the RM20 billion allocated given to PMO in the latest budget.

Previously, DAP said despite the federal budget being slashed across the board, the PMO enjoyed an increase.

“This practice only started after Najib came into power in 2009,” Liew said.

“This did not happen before his time, and this practice needs to stop immediately.”

- TMI