FMT:
Probe ‘ridiculous’ cost of printing oil palm book, says Kok
The former plantation and commodities minister says a check with printers found that each copy should cost less than RM3, and not RM13.30 and RM19.30, as reported.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok says the plantation and commodities ministry should conduct an audit on the cost of printing the ‘Mari Kenali Sawit’ book for primary and secondary schools. (Teresa Kok pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The plantation and commodities ministry has been urged to conduct an audit on the “ridiculous” cost involved in printing the “Mari Kenali Sawit” (Let’s Get To Know Oil Palm) book for primary and secondary schools.
Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) told the Dewan Rakyat today that 210,060 and 62,475 copies of the book were printed for primary and secondary schools at a cost of RM13.30 and RM19.30 per book, which would cost almost RM4 million overall.
The former plantation and commodities minister said that based on checks she carried out with printers in Kuala Lumpur, the actual cost of printing such books was “less than RM3”.
“I know the printing costs involved in this because we had to print material for the last general election. How can a book like this cost RM13.30 and RM19.30?” she said.
“The minister (Fadillah Yusof) needs to conduct an investigation into this project and audit the costs. Are these books sent to all schools and district education offices across the country?”
She said Fadillah should take a serious view of the matter as the books were printed with an allocation from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), which is, in turn, funded by industry players such as smallholders.
At a press conference later, Kok urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the matter.
“That’s why I brought this up in the Dewan Rakyat earlier. The minister needs to investigate, and also maybe MACC needs to step in,” she said.
Last April, then plantation and commodities minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said about 300,000 copies of the book will be distributed in selected government and private schools nationwide as part of the government’s effort to provide students with exposure to oil palm.
In a Bernama report, Zuraida said the book details facts about oil palm as well as the importance and contribution of the commodities industry to the socio-economic development and income of the country.
Kok also questioned the amount allocated for efforts to counter anti-palm oil campaigns, stating that it was reduced from RM20 million to RM10 million in the recently announced budget.
“With this reduction, how does Malaysia want to fight NGOs and those who are against palm oil?
“Considering the huge contribution of the palm oil industry to Malaysia, it should at least be increased to RM30 million,” she said.
In response, deputy plantation and commodities minister Siti Aminah Aching welcomed Kok’s proposal for the audit, saying the ministry will take appropriate action.
With respect to budget allocations to counter anti-palm oil campaigns, Siti Aminah said the ministry had requested for more than RM20 million from the government but only RM10 million was approved.
She urged the finance minister to consider providing more allocations to counter the anti-palm oil campaigns.
KUALA LUMPUR: The plantation and commodities ministry has been urged to conduct an audit on the “ridiculous” cost involved in printing the “Mari Kenali Sawit” (Let’s Get To Know Oil Palm) book for primary and secondary schools.
Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) told the Dewan Rakyat today that 210,060 and 62,475 copies of the book were printed for primary and secondary schools at a cost of RM13.30 and RM19.30 per book, which would cost almost RM4 million overall.
The former plantation and commodities minister said that based on checks she carried out with printers in Kuala Lumpur, the actual cost of printing such books was “less than RM3”.
“I know the printing costs involved in this because we had to print material for the last general election. How can a book like this cost RM13.30 and RM19.30?” she said.
“The minister (Fadillah Yusof) needs to conduct an investigation into this project and audit the costs. Are these books sent to all schools and district education offices across the country?”
She said Fadillah should take a serious view of the matter as the books were printed with an allocation from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), which is, in turn, funded by industry players such as smallholders.
At a press conference later, Kok urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the matter.
“That’s why I brought this up in the Dewan Rakyat earlier. The minister needs to investigate, and also maybe MACC needs to step in,” she said.
Last April, then plantation and commodities minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said about 300,000 copies of the book will be distributed in selected government and private schools nationwide as part of the government’s effort to provide students with exposure to oil palm.
In a Bernama report, Zuraida said the book details facts about oil palm as well as the importance and contribution of the commodities industry to the socio-economic development and income of the country.
Kok also questioned the amount allocated for efforts to counter anti-palm oil campaigns, stating that it was reduced from RM20 million to RM10 million in the recently announced budget.
“With this reduction, how does Malaysia want to fight NGOs and those who are against palm oil?
“Considering the huge contribution of the palm oil industry to Malaysia, it should at least be increased to RM30 million,” she said.
In response, deputy plantation and commodities minister Siti Aminah Aching welcomed Kok’s proposal for the audit, saying the ministry will take appropriate action.
With respect to budget allocations to counter anti-palm oil campaigns, Siti Aminah said the ministry had requested for more than RM20 million from the government but only RM10 million was approved.
She urged the finance minister to consider providing more allocations to counter the anti-palm oil campaigns.
Are we supposed to be surprised at the ridiculous prices charged?
ReplyDeleteThe price probably was MR3+++++
The MACC definitely must be involved.