'Free house for ex-PMs' law made under Mahathir's watch, says Najib
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has admitted that his office applied for a house from the government, but said this was made under a law that was enacted during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's premiership in 2003.
"He himself amended the law when he was the fourth prime minister. My office merely applied to be given a house after the 14th general election (GE14) in accordance to the law he amended," Najib said on Facebook today.
The issue was raised after his archrival Mahathir asked in the Dewan Rakyat why Najib’s request for land and housing was not included in Budget 2022.
In his reply, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz confirmed that the cabinet discussed the matter and has yet to finalise it, but was coy when MPs asked whether any preliminary agreement or decision was made.
Under Section 21 of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, former prime ministers are entitled to allowances and privileges decided by the cabinet from time to time.
Najib showed a document purporting that, pursuant to Section 21, the cabinet has decided to provide former prime ministers with one of several means, including a RM10,000 monthly allowance if they opt to stay in their own house.
Another option is to be offered a government house fit for the stature of a former prime minister.
The document was marked "Secret/Restricted".
The Pekan MP said his office had made the application in 2018 following GE14 and picked one of three properties offered by the government.
He said the government land near the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka building in Kuala Lumpur was chosen because his family felt that was the most suitable location.
No approval yet
However, Najib said it hasn't been approved by the government yet.
"I did not ask for a RM100 million gift or told the government to spend money to buy land, but for a residence that is accorded to all former prime ministers," he added.
Najib questioned why the matter is being raised years after the application was made and linked the ongoing Malacca election as a motive.
He also lamented that his office as former prime minister is merely a rented bungalow in Bukit Pantai, in contrast to Mahathir's office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation's vast complex in Putrajaya.
It was previously reported based on a source that Najib had requested a privilege from the government in the form of a 1.1ha residential property worth RM100 million in Kuala Lumpur.
The source also claimed that the request had been approved, though it drew protests from ministers and senior officials.
Najib was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million last year after he was found guilty of seven counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power involving RM42 million in funds from former 1MDB unit SRC International.
His appeal against the conviction is still pending.
It was previously reported based on a source that Najib had requested a privilege from the government in the form of a 1.1ha residential property worth RM100 million in Kuala Lumpur.
The source also claimed that the request had been approved, though it drew protests from ministers and senior officials.
Najib was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million last year after he was found guilty of seven counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power involving RM42 million in funds from former 1MDB unit SRC International.
His appeal against the conviction is still pending.
Rats & snakes, all in the same lair, to rob the country blind!
ReplyDeleteMalu Apa Bossku...? Ya...ini lah. Kulit Tebal macam Kerbau.
ReplyDeleteIt is said Tunku Abdul Rahman was so financially strapped after his retirement, he had to depend on the generosity of old friends.
ReplyDeleteThe government rightly stepped in to provide him with a house.
The nation providing an ex PM with a house is not wrong, but RM 100 Million is senseless.
RM100 million was an unexplained evaluation by a PN person
DeleteLet it go KT, you are embarrassing yourself.
DeleteQUOTE
Under Section 21 of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, former prime ministers are entitled to allowances and privileges decided by the cabinet from time to time.
UNQUOTE
Where does it say ex-PMs are entitled to RM100 million? Yet this is what Jibby is asking for.
A gomen bungalow with 10k monthly allowance, house help, driver and security detail is sufficient. Yet Jibby is asking for the earth. Even after he has kept all the "gifts" of jewelry etc from foreign dignitaries during his tenure. By right these "gifts" are not his to keep.
Whatever the reason for Toonsie'e evaluation it certainly wasn't for personal benefit. Even after TWO retirements" as PM he did not ask for one house.
who says it's RM100 million other than by PN and TS, wakakaka
Deleteyour toonsie received one
DeleteStop Digging KT.
DeleteThe Twit himself confirmed it is 100 million.
QUOTE
Tengku Zafrul confirms Najib asked for RM100 million house
Chan Kok Leong
18 Nov 2021
THE cabinet has received an application from Najib Razak to obtain a property worth RM100 million in Kuala Lumpur Senator Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said today.
UNQUOTE
What's the current land premium in bukit Petaling?
DeleteWhen that ketuanan icon of menara118 completed, that surrounding land premium would go up further, as designed by those ketuanan dickheads - to heighten the value of that crown asset.
100M is definitely a real number!
This Jibby is so GREEDY and KULIT TEBAL.
ReplyDeleteThe retiring PM was to be offered “a government house” to live in for free, meaning the house remains the property of the government. The retired PM can stay there for free as long as he wishes. The house is not to be given for free.