RM600,000 spent on door gifts at govt’s 100-day celebration

 

The crowd visiting the 100-Day Aspiration event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Dec 10 last year. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The government spent RM600,000 on door gifts for visitors at its 100-Day Aspiration event in December last year.

In a written parliamentary reply to Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang), special functions minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad said the items included paper bags, face masks, hand sanitisers, caps and stationery.

The event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, lasting four days from Dec 9, was held to mark the Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration’s first 100 days in office.

It was marred by controversy after thousands packed the venue. The health ministry subsequently fined the organisers for failing to adhere to Covid-19 SOPs.

After the first day, a number of MPs from both sides of the aisle hit out at the government for holding the mass celebration and even sending out messages via SMS urging the public to attend.

Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad and Klang MP Charles Santiago were among those who criticised the event after images emerged of the crowds mingling with almost the entire Cabinet.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) also slammed the event amid concerns of a Covid-19 outbreak. - FMT