SHAH ALAM, 12 Nov: The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth Chief, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, urged the Auditor General, Tan Sri Datuk Ambrin Buang, to reveal the full audit report on the annual Youth Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Nik Nazmi said that it is necessary because Malaysians, especially the young people, have the right to know if there are problems or deficiencies regarding how taxpayer money is spent.

“The government must provide justification on how this event, with its high cost, is beneficial and how it can empower the young generation in Malaysia,” he said, quoted from Keadilan Daily.

Earlier, the Member of Parliament for Pokok Sena, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, also made the same call following the increased cost for the annual programme concerned.

The cost of holding the celebration allegedly increased from RM16 million in 2011 to RM18.07 million in 2013.

Nik Nazmi also questioned why the government led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak is seen as spending a lot in the event but is less concerned about more important things like pro-young generation initiatives that do not require large expenditures.

The Selangor Exco for Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation also said that it is better for the outrageous expenditure to be used for more important priorities like funding educational scholarships, business loans and affordable housing for the young people.

“I hope the Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin, sees this as a serious matter,” he said.

NS