ID :
35167
Thu, 12/11/2008 - 18:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/35167
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN GOVT'S PROPERTIES ABROAD WORTH US$1.1 BILLION
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government has properties
abroad worth RM3.59 billion (US$1.1 billion) and these are managed by the
Foreign Ministry.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar who replied to a question in the
Lower House of Parliament Thursday on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, said some
of the assets were acquired soon after the country achieved
independence.
"Overall, the assets were purchased for about RM578.5 million (US$162.1
million) in the open market and also through the land allocation arrangements
between the Malaysian government and the foreign governments such as that
allocated by the Turkish government in 2007.
"As our assets are located in different countries, sometimes it is
difficult
to know their exact value. However, based on reports from Malaysia's diplomatic
missions abroad, the current worth is estimated at RM3.59 billion (US$1.1
billion) according to the market value," he said in reply to a question from Lim
Lip Eng, an opposition MP.
Syed Hamid said the government now had 32 chancery buildings, 33 official
residences for Malaysia's heads of mission and 189 apartment units in 43
countries.
He said the purchase of properties abroad was important to enable the heads
of mission to operate from the government's own buildings and to lessen costs in
the long-run if the government were to rent premises, hence avoiding a huge
monetary outflow from Malaysia.
Syed Hamid said it was the government's strategy through budget planning
under the five-year development plans to avoid incurring high management costs,
including for Malaysia's missions abroad, while these government-owned assets
would also help enhance Malaysia's image abroad.
To Lim's supplementary question as to whether a committee would be set up
to
oversee these assets, Syed Hamid said the Foreign Ministry would evaluate and
decide on the proposals made by Malaysia's representatives abroad.
"After the ministry has made its evaluation, the Treasury will then do the
same, taking into consideration the views of the Public Works Department,
whether the property to be bought is suitable or worth the price offered," he
said.
-- BERNAMA
abroad worth RM3.59 billion (US$1.1 billion) and these are managed by the
Foreign Ministry.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar who replied to a question in the
Lower House of Parliament Thursday on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, said some
of the assets were acquired soon after the country achieved
independence.
"Overall, the assets were purchased for about RM578.5 million (US$162.1
million) in the open market and also through the land allocation arrangements
between the Malaysian government and the foreign governments such as that
allocated by the Turkish government in 2007.
"As our assets are located in different countries, sometimes it is
difficult
to know their exact value. However, based on reports from Malaysia's diplomatic
missions abroad, the current worth is estimated at RM3.59 billion (US$1.1
billion) according to the market value," he said in reply to a question from Lim
Lip Eng, an opposition MP.
Syed Hamid said the government now had 32 chancery buildings, 33 official
residences for Malaysia's heads of mission and 189 apartment units in 43
countries.
He said the purchase of properties abroad was important to enable the heads
of mission to operate from the government's own buildings and to lessen costs in
the long-run if the government were to rent premises, hence avoiding a huge
monetary outflow from Malaysia.
Syed Hamid said it was the government's strategy through budget planning
under the five-year development plans to avoid incurring high management costs,
including for Malaysia's missions abroad, while these government-owned assets
would also help enhance Malaysia's image abroad.
To Lim's supplementary question as to whether a committee would be set up
to
oversee these assets, Syed Hamid said the Foreign Ministry would evaluate and
decide on the proposals made by Malaysia's representatives abroad.
"After the ministry has made its evaluation, the Treasury will then do the
same, taking into consideration the views of the Public Works Department,
whether the property to be bought is suitable or worth the price offered," he
said.
-- BERNAMA
