By Boo Su-Lyn
November 12, 2010
SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 — The Sultan of Selangor has decided not to attend a RM300,000 40th anniversary luncheon by state education welfare body Yayasan Selangor over its excessive cost.
The decision was made after the Selangor Ruler this morning learnt of the bill for the event, state secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud said today.
“The Selangor Sultan has cancelled his intentions to attend Yayasan Selangor’s 40th anniversary celebration that will be held on November 15, 2010 at Asrama Tun Dr Ismail in Kampung Pandan,” Ramli told reporters today.
“He felt shocked and was very sorrowful when he was informed that the cost of the anniversary celebration this year was very high.
“The cost of the luncheon is more than RM300,000. It is a waste and it is not beneficial,” added Ramli.
“He believed that the money would be put to better use for educational and welfare expenses, or to fund more poor students that is in line with the vision, mission and objective of Yayasan Selangor,” he said.
According to Ramli, prior to his discovery of the event’s cost, the Selangor Sultan had intended to attend the celebration to show his appreciation for the efforts of the foundation’s staff in helping poor children to get educated.
“The Sultan of Selangor believed that his presence at the event would invigorate the Yayasan Selangor workforce,” said Ramli.
The state secretary, however, pointed out that the Ruler was told that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had also not been apprised of the event’s costs.
“The Sultan of Selangor advises Yayasan Selangor to be more careful about managing its finances and to focus on the responsibilities accorded to it during its formation,” Ramli added.
Separately, Faekah Husin, political secretary to the mentri besar, claimed Khalid had proposed for the event to be called off.
“The mentri besar suggested that it be cancelled,” said Faekah.
Yayasan Selangor is a state education welfare body that transfers Bumiputera students from rural schools to schools located in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Sabak Bernam so that they can enjoy educational facilities more commonly available in urban locales.
#1 by yhsiew on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 3:23 pm
The Sultan’s action is laudable. He has set a very good example to the people; that is we must not waste our precious resources.
#2 by ktteokt on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 4:27 pm
Just another example of “Pound foolish, penny wise”!
#3 by 9to5 on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 5:06 pm
If that is the real reason then that is commendable. But the real reason could be that the Sultan is snubbing functions organized by the PR Government led by Khalid Ibrahim. If I remembered correctly on other occasions in the previous state Government, the Sultan wasn’t that concerned on the extravagant spending.
#4 by danieltkb on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 5:20 pm
Wonderful and enlightening in a move.
if the sultan is genuine in cost control, i trust him.
i wonder, is it the 1st time such was reported?
what about 53 yrs history? is it only now that the cost RM300k sound good to excuse?
this bring more question and room to investigate historical record and the motive why only now it was being question.
#5 by k1980 on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 5:46 pm
RM300,000 is only 30% of the RM1,000,000,000 bailout demanded by the Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas)
#6 by raven77 on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 5:47 pm
Errrr…what about the 400 million Shah Alam Hospital disaster….perhaps he should not go to the sister’s house too till she returns the money to the rakyat…
#7 by Comrade on Saturday, 13 November 2010 - 6:46 pm
k1980, RM300,000 is 0.03% of RM1,000,000,000.
#8 by born in Malaya on Sunday, 14 November 2010 - 1:32 am
RM300K is only a pea size compare to losses in project like PKFZ that comes up to RMbillions of abandoned properties.
Save a small town but lose the whole country :Malaysia.
#9 by anakbaram on Sunday, 14 November 2010 - 12:52 pm
Squandering of money no matter by whom is wrong. It is even worst if it done by a “charitable” organization. Fund is for charity and not for merry making, dine and wine.
#10 by johnnypok on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 - 6:10 am
300K Roast Kacang Mah one day shopping in Paris … so what?
#11 by waterfrontcoolie on Thursday, 18 November 2010 - 7:36 am
Though one certainly can see the wantonness of such dinner feast especially when the objective was to do it for charity. What confuses me, is what about all the corrupt practices that took place in Selangor all these years! surely they are reported openly and why no complaint?