Taxpayers fork out RM377mil to run foreign missions
Aidila RazakPublished: Nov 7, 2013 6:30 AM | Updated: Nov 7, 2013 10:47 PM
PARLIAMENT Taxpayers forked out RM377.05 million to pay for Malaysian foreign missions abroad in 2012, the foreign minister said.
PARLIAMENT Taxpayers forked out RM377.05 million to pay for Malaysian foreign missions abroad in 2012, the foreign minister said.
In a written reply to Parliament, Anifah Aman (left) said this figure is for mission staff, general administration and other consular activities in 106 missions.
This, he added, also includes activities to “protect and improve bilateral relationships and cooperation between Malaysia and host countries”.
The figure for 2012 was a spike of 73.5 percent compared to 2004, where Malaysia paid RM217.30 million for its 100 foreign missions.
As of Oct 27, 2013, the government spent RM171.02 million to sustain its foreign missions.
The minister was responding to Teo Kok Seong (DAP-Rasah) who asked for a breakdown in expenditure of Malaysia’s foreign missions from 2004 to 2013.
“RM377 million is a very big figure. In comparison, the Negri Sembilan budget is RM400 million for the same year,” Teo told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
He also sought an explanation on why there was a large spike in the cost of running the missions when the number of missions have only risen by six in the same period.
Mega missions
In his written reply, Anifah said that the missions are categorised as mega, large, medium-sized and small missions, depending on the number of staff.
Mega missions include permanent missions to the United Nations in New York, the missions in Washington and London, which have an average cost of RM14 million a year.
He said that large missions include the permanent observer at the European Union and the missions in Brussels, Riyadh and New Delhi which cost an average RM7 million a year.
Medium-sized missions like that in Dublin, Vientiane, Pretoria and Canberra cost an average RM5 million a year.
Small missions like that in Dili, Islamabad and the permanent mission to Asean in Jakarta costs an average RM3 million.
"Malaysian missions overseas are also responsible to safeguard and defend national interests, as well as care for the welfare of Malaysians there.
"The head diplomat at each mission always monitors spending at all missions to ensure that it is done judiciously and with integrity," said the minister.
In a written reply to Parliament, Anifah Aman (left) said this figure is for mission staff, general administration and other consular activities in 106 missions.This, he added, also includes activities to “protect and improve bilateral relationships and cooperation between Malaysia and host countries”.
The figure for 2012 was a spike of 73.5 percent compared to 2004, where Malaysia paid RM217.30 million for its 100 foreign missions.
As of Oct 27, 2013, the government spent RM171.02 million to sustain its foreign missions.
The minister was responding to Teo Kok Seong (DAP-Rasah) who asked for a breakdown in expenditure of Malaysia’s foreign missions from 2004 to 2013.
“RM377 million is a very big figure. In comparison, the Negri Sembilan budget is RM400 million for the same year,” Teo told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
He also sought an explanation on why there was a large spike in the cost of running the missions when the number of missions have only risen by six in the same period.
Mega missions
In his written reply, Anifah said that the missions are categorised as mega, large, medium-sized and small missions, depending on the number of staff.
Mega missions include permanent missions to the United Nations in New York, the missions in Washington and London, which have an average cost of RM14 million a year.He said that large missions include the permanent observer at the European Union and the missions in Brussels, Riyadh and New Delhi which cost an average RM7 million a year.
Medium-sized missions like that in Dublin, Vientiane, Pretoria and Canberra cost an average RM5 million a year.
Small missions like that in Dili, Islamabad and the permanent mission to Asean in Jakarta costs an average RM3 million.
"Malaysian missions overseas are also responsible to safeguard and defend national interests, as well as care for the welfare of Malaysians there.
"The head diplomat at each mission always monitors spending at all missions to ensure that it is done judiciously and with integrity," said the minister.
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