UPDATED
By Neville SpykermanKUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — PKR’s Azmin Ali demanded in Parliament today a full disclosure of the deal offered to former Ferrari Formula One team boss Datuk Seri Jean Todt for becoming Malaysia's tourism ambassador.
The Gombak MP alleged that Todt's annual fees amounted to RM593,400 while he was also paid RM388,000 for his holidays in Malaysia.
Azmin also wanted to know the land premium which had been offered to Todt and his Malaysian fiancée Michelle Yeoh when they built their home in Pulau Besar near Kuala Terengganu.
Todt was given approval this year to participate in the Malaysia My Second Home programme which allows him to buy property and live in Malaysia.
He was also appointed Malaysia's tourism ambassador, and has pledged to organise familiarisation tours and tap into his wide network of contacts to help promote the country as a tourism destination.
Azmin caused a stir when he raised the issue in a supplementary question where he asked why the government was spending so much money on Todt to promote Malaysia when Tourism Malaysia had offices around the world for the same purpose.
However, Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib refused to answer the question, saying it had nothing to do with the original question.
At a press conference at the Parliament lobby later, Azmin said the RM593,400 being paid to Todt was for attending a minimum of two international missions to promote Malaysia overseas and two international events in Malaysia in a year.
The cost included travel overseas and to Malaysia, expenditure, tips and miscellaneous cost.
Included in the cost for Todt holiday’s in Malaysia are RM240,000 for international flights, RM16,000 for domestic flights and RM60,000 for miscellaneous cost.
Azmin said he had documents to prove the government had offer land on Pulau Besar to Todt as part of the deal.
He refused to disclose if Todt paid for the land on the island or if it was offered free or at a discount and how large it was.
“I will wait for the government to make a full disclosure before revealing further details.” he said.
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Hello, this is tax payers money just incase you forget!