Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he was only the claiming what was entitled to him as a former prime minister when he applied for a land and a house in the city.
He explained that his application was made pursuant to a law that was amended during the first term of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, reported Malay Mail.
“My office only asked to be given a residence after GE14 as allowed in the amended act (Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act). The government gave me three plots of land to choose from, so I chose one,” said Najib as quoted by Malay Mail.
“I did not ask for a RM100 million gift from the government, but housing is given to all former prime ministers,” he posted on his Facebook page.
The issue was raised in Parliament after Dr Mahathir asked why the request of Najib for land and housing was not included in Budget 2022.
In his response, Finance Minister Datuk Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz confirmed that the Cabinet had received Najib’s application for land and house, which have been valued by some at RM100 million.
He shared that the Cabinet had discussed such application and was considering it, adding that further questions should be directed towards the Prime Minister’s Department.
In Najib’s Facebook post, he attached a document which states that pursuant to Section 21, former prime ministers will be provided with one of the several means, which include a monthly allowance of RM10,000 if they choose to stay in their own homes.
Another option is to be provided with a government house suitable to the stature of a former prime minister.
“It hasn’t been approved by the current government. I did not ask for a RM100 million gift or told the government to spend money to buy land, but for a residence that is accorded to all former prime ministers,” pointed Najib.
Image source from Malay Mail
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