THE Finance Ministry today reiterated that the two previous governments had spent RM700 million for advertising, promotion and publicity work despite denials from former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin that the claim was baseless.

The ministry in a statement today reaffirmed earlier remarks made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in parliament on Tuesday.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, had said the bulk of the money was used during Muhyiddin’s tenure as prime minister and the balance, during Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration. He labelled the amount used from 2020 to 2023 as “outrageous”.

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

Anwar said the Pagoh MP had spent RM500 million on promotion while Ismail used the rest.

The statement from the ministry this morning explained the money was used by the previous two governments, to disseminate their achievements through all mass media platforms including billboard, print media, electronic media (television and radio) and social media.

“Most of the expenses for this purpose were coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office”.

It added that for this year, Anwar’s government has so far used the balance of the previous administration’s communication contract, which was RM56.9 million.

“There is no new communication contract awarded for 2023 under the Madani government and as for 2024, the government will reduce expenses for communication to not exceed RM100 million,” it said.

Muhyiddin, in responding to Anwar’s statement on Tuesday, had said a written reply by Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Armizan Ali proved that such claims were a “lie”.

Armizan, Muhyiddin said, had in February revealed that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government spent only RM181,752 on a rebranding exercise.

“Such frivolous claims are yet another example of Anwar’s malicious lies,” Muhyiddin had said.

The PN chairman had said advertisements on billboards, television and radio were focused on Covid-19 related messages, including on aid and stimulus packages, after the country was struck by the pandemic.

“Yet, today, we see huge Madani billboards everywhere,” Muhyiddin added. – November 11, 2023.