INTERNATIONAL Trade and Industry (MITI) Senior Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali has denied taking his family to London during a trade mission in October.

“I understand that Jelutong (RSN Rayer) is trying to shift the focus. I, nevertheless, can respond to this issue,” said Azmin during his ministry’s winding-up speech on Supply Bill 2022 (committee stage) in Parliament today.

“All of MITI’s trade mission expenses have followed the financial procedures because before the trade mission is approved, it has to be tabled and approved at the cabinet meetings,” said the Gombak MP.

“As such, I deny Jelutong’s allegations.”

Azmin was responding to Rayer’s question asking if MITI had paid for Azmin’s family holiday in the United Kingdom.

It was reported last month that social media was abuzz with a viral meme alleging Amin had spent £37,023 (RM207,712) at an upscale restaurant in London.

The meme showed a picture of Nusr-Et Steakhouse in London, along with a picture of Azmin with a receipt transposed over it.

The picture was lifted from an article published on October 16 in British daily The Independent, titled Customers’ shock over £37,000 bill at Salt Bae’s new restaurant has people divided.”

Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, also known as Salt Bae, gained popularity in 2017 when a picture of him sprinkling salt on meat became an Internet meme.

Azmin’s officers have denied the story and said it was an attempt to smear his image.

In July, Azmin was again featured when a photograph of him and a tour guide in Turkey appeared on social media.

The photograph, posted by Turkish travel account @Turkishlocalguides was captioned “It was a pleasure to guide Mr Muhammed Azmin Ali (Senior Minister of Malaysia). He was willing and patient to listen to stories of Hagia Sophia”.

Netizens, however, shared screenshots of what they claimed to be the original caption which implied Azmin was there with his family.

The original caption, according to social media users, read: “It was a pleasure to guide Muhammed Azmin Ali (Senior Minister of Malaysia) and his family….”

That led to criticism against Azmin for purportedly going on holiday despite Covid-19 clusters erupting in many Malaysian factories, especially in Selangor. – December 7, 2021.