The prime minister, when asked about a list that has been circulated on social media as well as a blog article by former New Straits Times Press editor-in-chief A Kadir Jasin, said he was not aware of the amount spent.

“I haven’t seen the article and I need to review it, but will inform you later,” he said after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting here.

On his personal blog, Kadir, who is also part of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), said some RM257 million was spent within a period of 16 months for the Agong’s accommodation, residence, personal items, aircraft, transportation, clothing, gifts and souvenirs, overseas visits and salaries of palace staff, among others.

Kadir said the huge amount for the monarch’s upkeep showed Malay Rulers needed no reassurance that their position was secure, in the wake of remarks by prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim explaining his recent meetings with several sultans.

Anwar had said that his audiences with the sultans were to reassure them that the Pakatan Harapan government would safeguard the royal institution.

The following are Mahathir’s answers to other questions from the media today:

On abolishing government bodies

There are several extraneous bodies which will be abolished. Most of them come from the health ministry.

On possible overlapping of functions in new Cabinet

Because of the reshuffle, there are several incidences of overlapping functions among the ministries. We will resolve it after comparing the ministries.

On agenda at first Parliament sitting

We will discuss the abolition of laws, including the Anti-Fake News Act, and the abolition of the GST.

On allocations for MPs

RM500,000 will be allocated for Pakatan Harapan MPs, while RM200,000 will be set aside for opposition representatives. The funds will be given before Hari Raya.

On ensuring civil servants are proficient in English

English is important and it must be mastered by senior civil servants as they will be involved in negotiations. A competency exam will be conducted for high-ranking civil servants.

Entertainment allowances for civil servants

Senior civil servants on grade Jusa A and above will have their entertainment allowance deducted by 10% effective July this year.

“This is part of the government’s austerity drive.”

On ECRL

The government is still studying the ECRL contract.

“We want to negotiate to ensure that we don’t have to spend so much money because we can’t afford it.”

On Ambrin Buang

Former auditor-general Ambrin Buang has been appointed to head a committee to investigate administrative issues, beginning with the defence ministry.

Quarter-billion ringgit spent on Agong in 16 months, says former top editor