In a written reply to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, the PMO said the former works minister is paid RM27,227.20 to help Malaysian construction firms break into the South Asian market.
In addition to that, the government gives Samy Vellu “conveniences and other allowances” in line with his status as special envoy, which carries with it a ministerial rank.
He also has a staff of six and works from the special envoy’s office in Plaza Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.
The PMO also said Samy Vellu’s job scope does not clash with other Malaysian officials in South Asia as his role is only to identify projects in the fast-growing region that Malaysian companies are well-suited for.
“The special envoy is tasked with creating opportunities for those companies to take part in projects in accordance with local laws and regulations,” the reply read.
Samy Vellu was named as special envoy for infrastructure to India and South Asia in December last year after he stepped down as MIC president, a post he held for 31 years.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak appointed MIC strongman to tap the latter’s experience in clinching billions of ringgit worth of projects for Malaysian companies during his tenure as works minister.
Besides India, other South Asian countries under Samy Vellu’s portfolio include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.
Samy Vellu previosusly said Malaysian businessmen had, in the past 10 years, played a significant role in infrastructure development in India, completing projects worth about US$20 billion (RM61.4 billion) although that figure has dwindled of late.
During his official visit here in October last year, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India, which plans to raise investment in infrastructure projects to US$1 trillion, welcomed greater Malaysian participation given the country’s strength in the sector.