In Parliament this morning

Sarawak polls: Over RM135m spent, and projects costing almost RM800m promised

KUALA LUMPUR: The recently concluded Sarawak state election cost Putrajaya RM135.6 million, Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said said this in a written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), who had asked the prime minister to specify the cost of the state’s 11th election.

Lim had also asked for the cost of the Federal Cabinet meeting which was held in Petrajaya, Kuching on May 4, to which Azalina replied it was RM31,217.

To another question by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh), Azalina said Putrajaya had committed to 409 projects/programmes worth RM792.34 million in Sarawak during the state election campaign.

Wan Azizah had enquired on the number of projects the prime minister, his deputy and Cabinet members had committed to in the run-up to the polls.

According to Azalina, the projects promised include developing basic infrastructure, upgrading bridges and roads, building new schools, mosques, public halls, sports centres, as well as conducting social and educational programmes.

Extradition request of two Abu Sayyaf militants still pending

Malaysia does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines government, and that is hampering efforts to extradite two Abu Sayyaf militants involved in the murder of a Malaysian abducted from Semporna, Sabah.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this in Parliament today, in a written reply to Wong Tien Fatt (DAP-Sandakan), who had asked why the Malaysian government is yet to extradite the two criminals, namely Khadafi Muktadil and Saddan Jailani, who were nabbed by Filipino security forces in November last year.

Zahid said Putrajaya had already sent an extradition request following news of the duo’s arrest, to the Philippines government, last year.

“The request was in line with the arrest warrant issued against the duo by the Semporna magistrate’s court on December 8, 2015.

“The Malaysian government does not have any extradition treaty with our Philippine counterpart. Therefore, the Philippine government is not obligated to send the captured criminals here. Any decision to do so would purely be at their discretion,” he said, adding that the Philippine government is yet to reply to the request sent.

“Nevertheless, we will continue to be in touch with them to get feedback and the status on the extradition request.”

PM’s consent not needed for 1MDB’s USD3.5b payment to Aabar Investment PJS Limited

Embattled state investment fund 1MDB’s USD3.5 billion payment to Aabar Investment PJS Limited was done with the knowledge of the company’s board of directors and does not require a written consent from the prime minister, who heads the advisory board.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the Finance Minister, said this in a written reply to Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) who had asked if he (Najib) had given written consent under clause 117 of 1MDB’s memorandum and articles of association, to allow the company to directly, or indirectly, make the payment to Aabar Investment PJS Limited.

In reply, Najib said the payment was indeed disbursed in several tranches, based on deals signed between the two companies.

“All the transactions were done with the approval and on the orders of the board of directors – either on general orders, special orders or ratification.

“There was no need for a written approval from the prime minister to carry out the transactions, as stipulated under clause 117 of 1MDB’s memorandum and articles of association.”

tags: parliament, dewan rakyat, tony pua, aabar, 1mdb, najib, ahmad zahid, sarawak election, azalina othman, abu sayyaf

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