KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — The millions of ringgit being spent to maintain and care for a pair of giant pandas would be better used to fund the federal government’s social welfare programmes, PAS MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar suggested today.

The Pokok Sena lawmaker demanded Putrajaya justify the RM60 million cost for the upkeep of the pandas on loan from China, claiming that the same amount of money would aid 880,000 widowed and divorced single mothers struggling to make ends meet.

“The government says that these pandas will reap profits for Malaysia and it is good to commemorate China-Malaysia’s bilateral relationship. But why are we paying RM60 million when the other country isn’t forking out anything,” Mahfuz asked at a news conference here.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G Palanivel, the government has spent RM60 million - RM25 million on pandas’ enclosure, RM15 million on maintenance and RM20 million on rental fee for the first four years.

Mahfuz, who is also the PAS information chief criticised the deal as “the most ridiculous agreement”.

On May 21, Malaysia flew in two giant pandas, Feng Yi and Fu Wa, from Chengdu, China via a special MAS Kargo Airbus.

China is sending the pandas to Malaysia on loan to commemorate 40 years of friendship and diplomatic ties.

They were originally scheduled to arrive on April 16, but their arrival was postponed to allow Malaysia and China to focus efforts on finding Flight MH370, which vanished after leaving Malaysian shores on March 8.

It was reported that the 1.6ha complex for the pandas includes an exercise area, holding den, laboratory, veterinary clinic, incubator room and a monitoring room with temperatures held at 18°C to 24°C.

Tickets will be priced at RM20 for adults, and RM10 for children and senior citizens.

Only up to 3,000 visitors are allowed a day and the exhibition is open daily from 9am till 5pm.