KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — The federal government has never paid former APCO Malaysia boss Paul Stadlen, Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said.
In a written parliamentary reply to Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, the minister in the Prime Minister’s department did not confirm or deny Stadlen’s alleged role as a member of the Prime Minister’s department’s national communications team.
“Until now, the government has not made any payment of wages to Paul Stadlen,” Shahidan said.
Hanipa had asked the minister to state how much the government had paid the former APCO Malaysia boss, as well as a breakdown of the PM department’s list of official advisors and their fees.
In the reply, Shahidan said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has four advisors — Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin, Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharum, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim and Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
“The government only pays wages and allowances in accordance to each person based on their given expertise,” Shahidan added but did not elaborate further.
Opposition leaders have demanded Putrajaya to disclose the details of Stadlen reported employment with the Prime Minister’s Office.
In February, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang said he had submitted specific verbal questions to Najib, asking him to confirm an allegation made by the Sarawak Report website that Stadlen is allegedly being paid millions of ringgit for his communications policy.
