THE government has spent almost RM700 million on advertising, promotion and publicity from 2020 to 2022, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said the bulk of the money was used during Muhyiddin Yassin’s tenure as prime minister and the balance, during Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration.

Anwar labelled the amount spent in that span of time as “outrageous”.

“A total of RM700 million (spent) for advertisements, promotions and publicity,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

“This means, almost more than RM500 million was spent during Pagoh (Muhyiddin’s tenure), and the rest by Bera (Ismail Sabri).

“So the RM700 million, or more or less RM300 million spent in one year, violates the rules and governance and is outrageous.”

The Tambun lawmaker was responding to P. Prabakaran (Batu-PH), who asked the prime minister to state the total amount spent by the government on promotion and publicity in conveying the government’s achievements through mass media platforms, including print media, digital media and television media from 2020 to present.

Anwar also said the unity government did not allocate new funds for advertising, promotional and publicity for 2023 upon assuming office last year.

“We are only fulfilling whatever Bera had signed during his time as prime minister. No new allocation was given,” he said.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the ministry has only been instructed to approve RM100 million for the same purpose next year.

On the Malaysia Madani initiatives, Anwar said ministers and lawmakers can approach grassroots and public directly to promote them, instead of spending lavishly on promotion and publicity. – November 7, 2023.