Just yesterday (8th January), Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak set out on an official five-day work trip to Saudi Arabia that will last until this Friday (12th January).
However, just this morning, the official list of delegates accompanying the Prime Minister (PM) began circulating online via WhatsApp and Twitter has shocked Malaysians.
Why, you ask? Well, because a good number of people listed as delegates were the PM’s family members!
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Understandably, Malaysians were concerned as to why his family accompanied PM Najib to Saudi Arabia on what’s supposed to be an official working visit, and were wondering how their trip was being funded.
In light of the photos going viral, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has since responded with a statement and have clarified that the family members and acquaintances who accompanied him all paid for their own travel expenses, according to the Malay Mail Online.
Source: New Straits Times
The PMO went on to elaborate that while the PM is on an official visit to discuss bilateral issues, PM Najib invited his mother, siblings, and associates so they could perform their umrah pilgrimage. An excerpt from their statement reads,
“The brothers of the Prime Minister including some acquaintances followed him to the Holy Land on their own expense. Only Tun Rahah Mohammad Noah (the PM’s mother) was with Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the flight to Saudi Arabia.”
Well, we’re glad this issue was promptly addressed by the PMO at least!
Also read: Donald Trump Invites PM Najib to Meet at the White House Next Month
