Unnecessary to spend RM30mil to renovate Seri Perdana during pandemic, says MP

KUALA LUMPUR: A lawmaker has questioned the need to spend RM30mil to renovate the Prime Minister's official residence during the ongoing pandemic.

Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) (Pejuang-Kubang Pasu) said it was unnecessary to spend "such a huge amount" on renovations when the money could be better used to fight Covid-19.

Amiruddin was referring to a written reply to a question raised over renovation cost carried out at Seri Perdana.

The issue was raised last week by Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) who wanted to know the status of renovation works done at Seri Perdana during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's tenure as prime minister.

Some 60% of the renovation works had been completed as of August.

The renovations, among others, included structural works, electrical wiring, air-conditioning and replacement of old furniture.

"It's really insensitive for such expenditure to be made during the present situation when the rakyat are struggling to make ends meet," Amiruddin said at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday (Sept 28).

He expressed surprise that "security" and "image" were reasons given to justify the renovations carried out on Seri Perdana in Putrajaya.

He said the money could have been used to procure medical supplies and equipment for frontliners battling the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) said her questions to the Prime Minister for the cost of renovations for offices for all Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers were left unanswered.

Instead, Yeoh said, she was given an answer to the renovation cost of the offices of two Cabinet Ministers and two Deputy Ministers under the Prime Minister’s Department between 2020 and 2021, amounting to more than RM1mil.

Both Amiruddin and Yeoh said they did not spend a single sen to renovate their offices when serving under the Pakatan Harapan administration.