"It is normal that there will several changes to the draft of any of the deputy prime minister's overseas working trips before it is finalised," said the statement.
"This is because the itinerary is subject to confirmation by the parties involved in the country to be visited," it added.
It said the draft itinerary revealed by the MPs did not include Muhyiddin's official functions in Dubai on April 8.
On that date, Muhyiddin was accorded the honour by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to deliver a keynote address at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM).
At the meeting, attended by UAE Prime Minister and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum and several government leaders, Muhyiddin shared Malaysia's experience in the international business environment and in attracting foreign investment.
At the same meeting, Muhyiddin also extended the Malaysian government's gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum for the assistance extended by the UAE government to the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Muhyiddin also attended the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (Getex) and launched the Malaysian pavilion at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, besides paying a courtesy call on UAE Education Minister Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami and Culture, Youth and Social Development Minister Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan at the same venue.
Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, also held a meeting with Sunny Varkey, chairman of GEMS Education based in Dubai.
GEMS Education, which has a chain of private schools in 151 countries, including the UAE, the United States and Singapore, is in the process of opening a private school offering affordable rates in Malaysia.
Muhyiddin is also scheduled to attend two business dinners with prominent businessmen from Malaysia and the UAE. The statement said the expenses for both the dinners are not footed by the Malaysian government.
One of the dinners is sponsored by Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd (AZRB), a company that has operations in Dubai, and the other, by Essa Al-Ghurair, a member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) international panel of advisors.
Muhyiddin also held discussions with several Malaysian companies that have interests in the UAE and the Middle East, including Petronas and Eversendai Corporation Bhd.
Muhyiddin will also have discussions with the management of EMKE Lulu Group of Companies at the invitation of Yusof Ali MA, the owner of a hypermarket chain in the Gulf countries.
In an effort to enhance trade and business ties between Malaysia and the UAE, Muhyiddin has been invited to participate in a golf event with businessmen from both countries.
The statement said all expenses for the golf business networking event were to be met by the individual companies and did not use any government allocation at all.
The deputy prime minister will also take part in an official golf event organised by Tourism Malaysia to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2014 as well as attend a luncheon sponsored by ASCORP Holdings chairman and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Khalfan Saeed Al-Kaabi.
Muhyiddin will also attend a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora in the UAE, organised by Talent Corporation.
The statement said the working visit to Dubai was part of the government leader's overseas official trip aimed at enhancing Malaysia's position in the international political and economic environment that was becoming increasingly dynamic.
"The whole of the deputy prime minister's activities throughout his visit to Dubai is to enhance trade and business relations between Malaysia and the UAE as well as to attract foreign investment to Malaysia," the statement said. - Bernama
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