KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — No new allocation will be provided by the government for publicity and promotion of announcements and achievements of the Madani Government and the Prime Minister this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Instead, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his Madani Government is only utilising the allocation balance approved and signed under the previous government led by his predecessor Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
This includes the allocation for the installation of billboards and publications of government policies such as on Malaysia Madani, the Madani Economy framework, and Budget 2024.
“Between 2020 and 2022, the government spent RM700 million on promotional advertisements and publicity. This means RM500 million was spent during the administration of the Honourable Pagoh MP (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) and the rest during the administration of the Honourable Bera MP (Ismail Sabri).
“Honourable Bera MP did not spend as high, hence the balance (of the allocation). That is why in 2023, there was no allocation given; we are just utilising the balance of the allocation and continuing what was already approved while he was the prime minister.
“For me, spending RM700 million or more than RM300 million a year is just too much and against the rules and good governance,” he said in reply to Batu MP P. Prabakaran during the Minister’s Question Time.
Prabakaran had inquired about the amount spent on the promotion and publicity of the government’s achievements via all media platforms since 2020.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said he had also told the ministry not to approve an allocation of more than RM100 million a year for promotion and publicity purposes starting next year.
While acknowledging the need for explanations regarding government policies, he said the government should not be burdened with additional costs for advertising and publicity.
“Government programmes, including new initiatives such as the Madani Economy framework, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, and the budget, certainly need to be explained to the people.
“We should utilise the existing machinery and councils, as well as ministers and deputy ministers, to go to the ground and help explain to the people. This small allocation will be put to optimal use to create advertisements and publications that can provide further explanations,” Anwar said.
The Prime Minister believes this should not pose a significant issue as long as the government has clear programmes and actively engages with the people.
“After all, overspending does not align with our principles of efficient management and good governance,” he added.
— Bernama
