Gerakan: Give details of RM2m spent on overseas spending trips

An opposition leader has questioned the Penang government about overseas trips its executives have made which amounted to RM2.18 million so far this year.

Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong (above, left) said the public would like to know more about the details of the trips.

Oh urged Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to explain what activities were carried out in every trip and who were his entourage.

"We would like to know of the outcome of his trips and whether there is any benefit for Penang's economy or foreign direct investment," said Oh, who is also Penang Gerakan chairperson.

"We understand that state leaders need to make oversea trips for investment purposes but can the outcomes or benefits to Penang justify the millions spent on the trip?" Oh asked.

Malaysiakini is pending a response from Chow.

Oh was responding to Chow's written reply in the Penang Legislative Assembly last week which stated that he and his state excos had spent RM2.18 million in official overseas trips this year.

Replying to Joseph Ng (DAP-Air Itam), who wanted to know the total cost of the trips, Chow listed the trips they went on between January till last month.

There were a total of 47 visits, which were accompanied by 108 senior staff.

Chow made the most trips, five costing RM489,675, where his entourage included 11 aides.

According to Chow, his one week trip to Kenya came up to RM179,595, Japan (RM138,405), China (RM87,900), Armenia (RM64,450) and Taiwan (RM19,325).

Others who went on trips included excos Zairil Khir Johari (public works and utilities) who visited seven countries amounting to RM330,922.

Tourism, arts, culture and heritage exco Yeoh Soon Hin went to 10 countries, costing RM330,625.

International Trade exco Abdul Halim Hussain spent RM262,271 on four trips, while Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman visited Morocco (with five aides) and Thailand (39 aides) at the expense of RM197,680.

Meanwhile, housing and local government exco Jagdeep Singh Deo visited four countries costing RM188,715, while health and agriculture exco Dr Afif Bahardin also visited four countries and spent RM130,205.

Environment and Welfare exco Phee Boon Poh visited four countries costing RM101,525, while Youth and Sports exco Soon Lip Chee visited seven countries spending RM96,959.

Women, Community and Family exco Chong Eng visited Singapore accompanied by two aides, at RM29,525, while Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy also visited the country once, which cost the state RM22,530.

Former Umno Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad recalled that ex-chief minister Lim Guan Eng used to "boast" that he travelled on economy class when going on overseas trips.

"Do the state excos now travel on economy class?" Farid asked, adding that he was not shocked at the RM2 million spent on trips as some federal ministers have been "hardworking, visiting other countries, some with their families".

He said the question was how much investment have the excos brought back after their trips.

Farid (above) pointed out that in the past, the International Trade portfolio was held by the chief minister.

"Trips under the International Trade portfolio was always high as there was a need to seek for investment," he said. 

"It's strange that even though he does not hold the portfolio, Chow made many trips overseas," he said. 

"We just wonder what was the purpose of the trip to Kenya since it was the most expensive."

Farid also queried how much investment did the International Trade exco (Abdul Halim) bring home from his oversea trips, urging him to justify the amount of RM262,271.

He praised Chong Eng and Ramasamy for spending less on trips, visiting only Singapore.

"Penangites are not angry about these trips as long as state leaders can justify them, whether they are beneficial for Penang," Farid said.

"It is sad when people say there are excos who are good in holidaying overseas," he added. - Mkini