PM’s Raya events cost RM6.1mil, ‘half of 2022 bill’

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Hari Raya open house in Kedah last month. The event cost RM3.1 million, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

PETALING JAYA: The government spent RM6.1 million on the Hari Raya open houses in three states organised by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Special functions minister Armizan Ali said the Raya open house in Kedah cost RM3.1 million, while the ones in Kelantan and Terengganu cost RM1.5 million each.

“This includes everything from the preparation of the venue, logistics, and the costs to cater the food for the public,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang).

Armizan said about 25,000 visitors attended the open house in Kedah, while the events in Kelantan and Terengganu had drawn around 15,000 visitors each. All three were attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the RM6.1 million was much lower than the cost incurred for last year’s Raya open house, which was held at the prime minister’s official residence, Seri Perdana.

Armizan said the 2022 open house had cost RM11 million, but attracted about 70,000 visitors.

He said this year’s three open houses had provided economic opportunities to small traders, hotels as well as transport providers. - FMT