Gov't spent RM628k to promote 1MDB and red shirts rally

PARLIAMENT Putrajaya has spent more than RM628,000 to publish booklets on 1MDB and the red shirts rally to explain both issues that it claims were "politicised".

In a written reply to Parliament, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) had to explain the issues.

"In view of these two issues having been politicised, it gives obvious effect, especially to the security and well-being aspects of the country," Salleh said.

He was referring to the booklets published by Putrajaya, titled "1MDB: Siapa Kata Tidak Dijawab", of which a total of 125,000 were printed in three languages, and another 2,000 copies of "Himpunan Baju Merah".

"The cost of (the 1MDB booklets) was RM4.85 a copy and it totalled RM606,250," Salleh added.

According to the minister, the cost of the red shirt rally booklet was RM6 a copy, for which the government forked out RM12,000 for 2,000 copies.

The booklets were widely distributed, especially at the Umno general assembly last year.

The 105-page booklet, which is filled with colour photographs and titled 'Uprising of Red Shirt, Sept 16' was published to glorify the red shirt rally and demonise the Bersih rally.

Teo Kok Seong (DAP-Rasah) had asked the total cost of Jasa printing the two booklets.

Jasa is a controversial government entity which is accused of aggressively propagating the agenda of the ruling party. -Mkini