Anwar: Govt paid RM486k for Dr M's official visit to Japan
MELAKA: The government bore almost half a million ringgit in costs for former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's trip to Japan to attend the annual Nikkei conference last month, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said the government had allocated approximately RM486,000 for the visit after receiving a formal application from Dr Mahathir.
"There are existing provisions for former prime ministers to apply for government support for official travel, and if the sitting prime minister approves, the government will bear the cost, including for Tun Mahathir, who recently requested to attend the Nikkei conference in Japan. He applied, and I approved it. I believe the delegation comprised around seven people.
"People ask me why we paid for him. He is entitled to apply, but the decision lies with the sitting prime minister. I decided to approve the RM486,000 for him to go to Japan.
"I just don't want anyone to misunderstand. I don't want to take a negative attitude. Despite his daily criticisms of the government, we still approved his travel application," Anwar told reporters here today.
On May 30, Dr Mahathir was reported to have attended and delivered a speech at the annual Nikkei Future of Asia conference, a platform he has attended regularly over the years.
In a separate development, Anwar said he was giving time to two cabinet ministers who recently submitted resignation letters, encouraging them to reconsider their decisions.
The prime minister said he had received letters from the two ministers applying for leave and resignation, but had only approved their leave for now.
"Let them think about it. Personally, I would prefer that they rejoin the cabinet," he said.
The ministers in question, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, reportedly submitted their resignations following defeats in recent party elections.
Anwar was speaking after attending an organisational empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders here today.
Also present were PKR vice-presidents Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, secretary-general Senator Fuziah Salleh, Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek, Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, and Hang Tuah Jaya division chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
During the seminar, Anwar urged PKR members to heal internal rifts and put aside dissatisfaction following the party polls last month.
He also emphasised the need for unity and maturity for the party's greater mission.
"Imagine this, I can work with Umno, even hugging it out. Surely, we can move past our internal disagreements too. Let's move on for the bigger agenda," he added.
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