Ministers Made 236 Overseas Trips Last Year Costing RM44 Million
That's about RM186,440 per trip.
Cabinet members went on a total of 236 official overseas visits last year, according to Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa
In a parliamentary written reply to Masjid Tanah member of parliament (MP) Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin on Tuesday, 18 February, Zaliha revealed that these visits cost a total of RM44 million.
She explained that the ministers attend periodic and scheduled meetings involving Malaysia as a member country in various international organisations.
These include the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the World Economic Forum, and the Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation.
"Their presence as government representatives plays a crucial role in demonstrating Malaysia's commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and enhancing the country's position on the global stage," read the written reply.
Zaliha added that these trips also serve as trade and investment missions aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to boost the national economy.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan recorded the highest number of official trips, with 39 visits
This is followed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (19 visits); Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz (18 visits); and Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (15 visits).
Conversely, the ministers with the fewest visits were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, and Zaliha herself — each making just one trip abroad.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made 19 official visits abroad last year.
Image via Bernama/New Straits Times
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, held in New York in January 2024.
Image via The America Times
However, Zaliha assured that all expenditures on these visits adhere to prevailing government financial procedures, which adopt a prudent and effective spending approach
"Each visit is carefully planned to maximise value while maintaining optimal expenditure in line with the government's cost-saving principles," she said.
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