KUALA LUMPUR: The government spent RM6.1 million on the Madani Malaysia Aidilfitri Open House events, organised by the Prime Minister's Department, in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the open house event in Kedah was a national-level programme that also involved the cabinet, foreign representatives and heads of government departments.
Kedah's Madani Malaysia Aidilfitri Open House recorded the highest cost of RM3.1 million while Kelantan and Terengganu each cost RM1.5 million.
"The expenses covered venue preparation, logistics and the banquets.
"The total attendance for the programme in Kedah was 25,000 people while in Kelantan and Terengganu there were 15,000 visitors each," he said, in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat, today.
Ahmad Fadhli Shaari's (PN-Pasir Mas) had asked about the total expenditure in the organising of the Madani Malaysia Aidilfitri Open House in six states, namely Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang.
Armizan said the organisation of the Aidilfitri Open House last year in Seri Perdana, Putrajaya involved an expenditure of RM11 million with the attendance of 70,000 people.
"The Madani Malaysia Open House opens a wider space to allow government leaders to meet and socialise with the people in various locations," he said.
He said the event also received cooperation of the federal ministries and departments in addition to the state governments which enabled the cost to be reduced, especially in terms of human resources and other logistical requirements.
"The organisation of the event also gave local businesses such as hotel, transport operators and other related businesses the opportunity to generate income," he said.