PM’s complex has cheapest energy bills in the world, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — The prime minister’s complex is believed to incur the lowest expenses in the world due to a frugal system, despite its power bills totalling RM8,500 daily, a minister claimed today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim told Parliament that based on observations, the US’ White House and the UK’s Downing Street spent more money than Malaysia’s PM complex, which also houses Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s official residence.

“(We are) among the lowest because of the frugal system that is practised here,” said Shahidan.

“It’s based on observations. I didn’t make specific comparisons. For that, you give me time [sic],” he added.

The Arau MP also said that the Prime Minister’s Office does not have facilities to host guests.

“That’s why they do it at the prime minister’s residence,” said Shahidan.

Shahidan said last month that the RM3 million electricity bill was for the prime minister’s complex, which includes a multipurpose hall and staff quarters, and not the prime minister’s residence alone.

In a written reply to Seremban MP Anthony Loke last month, the Arau MP disclosed that the electricity bill of the prime minister’s complex cost taxpayers RM2.2 million, while the deputy prime minister’s was RM865,458 for 2012.

Shahidan also revealed that for the same year, Putrajaya spent RM311,174 and RM99,264 respectively for the prime minister’s and the deputy prime minister’s water bills.

The revelation of Putrajaya’s exorbitant utility bills comes amid Najib’s call for the public to tighten their belts.

In tabling the 2014 Budget last month, the prime minister announced plans to implement the goods and services tax (GST) by April 2015 in a move aimed at widening the government’s revenue base and trimming its fast-growing deficit.

Najib had also announced a sugar subsidy slash in a move analysts described as the start of more spending cuts anticipated in the near future.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office web site, the Seri Perdana Complex is the official residence of the prime minister, located at Persiaran Seri Perdana, Precint 10, Putrajaya.

Seri Perdana was built in 1997 on a 42.5-acre site and includes a main guest salon, a meeting room, a special dining hall and a banquet hall.