Engagement party: Report lodged against PM

NGO Jingga 13 lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak over allegations that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) footed the bill for his daughter's engagement party.

The report, which also names Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, claims that RM409,767 in public funds were spent on the party, which took place on June 17 last year.

Jingga 13 chief Fariz Musa (right) said when contacted that the report was made at the Selangor MACC headquarters in Shah Alam this afternoon.

"We disclosed all the relevant documents, particularly the Banquet Event Order (BEO) form, which was issued in the name of the PMO.

"We hope that the MACC will investigate the document and if necessary charge Najib under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for abuse of power," Fariz said.

He questioned how a private ceremony could cost RM409,767 in taxpayers' money.

"RM18,792 was spent for the reception of 36 VIPs costing RM522 each and RM309,975 for the reception for 862 people, with a operating cost of RM81,000," Fariz said.

The document showing that the PMO had placed the order for the party was first revealed by PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli.

However, PMO has denied that public funds were ever used for the banquet held at Shangri-la Hotel.

Rafizi has called on the prime minister to prove that the bill for the party was paid out of his own pocket.