Selangor government-owned companies have been directed to seek approval from the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) before carrying out any activities or anniversary functions.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said budgets for any official function, invited list and programme must be approved by the MBI.

"Through the initiative, the state government can monitor activities carried out by government-owned companies and prevent exorbitant expenses for such events," said Khalid in a statement.

The decision was following the controversy surrounding exorbitant amounts spent by Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) and Yayasan Selangor recently.

He was commenting on reports that Yayasan Selangor spent RM300,000 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, RM320,000 on a consultant firm to handle its Hari Raya celebrations and RM120,000 on women's clothing.

The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had also snubbed the anniversary dinner upon learning the cost of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, the activities of the PKNS corporate communications department was freezed for misusing funds, including sponsoring the wedding of Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha's wedding, to a tune of a reported RM500,000.

Abdul Khalid said the state government would not encourage any government-owned companies to engage consultant companies or event management companies to handle their activities but instead rely on the expertise of their own staff.

"The government feels it will be a good way of reducing expenses and be prudent in spending," he said.

- Bernama