Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen is facing the music again. The Malaysian Parliament was told on Tuesday her ministry paid a gargantuan RM1,758,432 on developing six Facebook pages to promote Malaysian tourism.
The disclosure by Deputy Tourism Minister James Dawos Mamit shocked Rasah MP Anthony Loke, even though it was the DAP lawmaker who had raised the question.
“You need RM1.8 million to run Facebook pages and applications? A six-year-old can start a Facebook page," a stunned Loke told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday.
"If Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen has problems getting people to help start Facebook pages, DAP headquarters can help her out, we have people who can develop these things at no cost."
Loke vowed to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission if Yen Yen could not offer a detailed explanation
Not around
Yen Yen was not in House. Her colleagues say she is down with a sore throat - not the first time that she has 'disappeared' when the going got tough.
Although, it may seem as if she is the special target of the opposition lawmakers, more of often than not her replies have shocked the nation although many have already braced themselves for stories of her legendary spending sprees.
Even her former party boss, ex-MCA president Ong Tee Keat had demanded that she explain her travelling costs. During the period 2009 to 2010, Yen Yen had racked up travelling expenses of RM3.25 million for 16 overseas visits.
On Tuesday, it was no different. Her ministry still shocked everyone with its reply.
According to James, each Facebook page cost RM293,072 — Cuti-Cuti 1 Malaysia, Citrawarna 1Malaysia, Karnival Jualan Mega 1 Malaysia, Festival Pelancongan Seni Kontemporari 1 Malaysia, Kempen 1 Malaysia Bersih and Fabulous Food 1 Malaysia.
The Citrawarna 1 Malaysia page has so far attracted 20,292 Facebook fans since it was launched on May 21.
James also said that the RM1.8 million included costs for designing, flash programming and coding, testing and debugging, uploading and launching the application, system server deployment and campaign management.
