KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Minister at the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has disputed claims by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had paid over RM2 billion to consultants to complete the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) report. 

In a short statement on Tuesday, Mustapa said preparation for 12MP involved “a very small sum in costs for engagement sessions, printing costs and media consultancy”. 

“For your information, the EPU of the Prime Minister’s Department had never spent RM2 billion to complete the 12th Malaysia Plan report, as claimed by Datuk Seri Anwar. 

“The five-year national development plan is prepared by EPU officers under my supervision, as a result of input from engagements with multiple parties,” he said.

“I hope Datuk Seri Anwar can correct his statement to avoid negative perception towards EPU officers and the government,”  Mustapa added.

Earlier today, Anwar told Dewan Rakyat that “he was made to understand that five to six years ago, RM1.8 billion was spent” for consultancy for the five-year plan. 

"So I would like to ask, more than RM2 billion had been paid out to consultants to complete the 12th Malaysia Plan book,” he said, adding that studies and planning in Malaysia can be handled by local experts who understand the problems faced better.

The 12MP was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday.