Govt has never withdrawn services provided to former prime ministers — JPM

PUTRAJAYA: The government has never withdrawn services provided to former prime ministers, including Tun Dr Mahathor Mohamad, the Prime Minister’s Department ( JPM) said in a statement yesterday.

The JPM said Dr Mahathir had been provided with staff services for his office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation’s Office and his residence at the The Mines Resort City, Selangor, in accordance with the Members of Parliament ( Remuneration) Act 1980 (Act 237).

A total of 21 postings have been allocated to Dr Mahathir with the expenditure borne by the government, including the payments of salaries, claim allowances and other perks for which the staff qualified as civil servants, said JPM in response to the alleged withdrawal of Dr Mahathir’s personal bodyguard service which went viral on social media recently.

The JPM said until today, the government had also been paying all the utility bills at the PLF and at Dr Mahathir’s residence.

Also borne by the government were the meal and lodging allowances for the former prime minister’s escorts, bodyguards, medical officer and aide- de- camp who accompanied him during overseas trips.

“Therefore, the government would like to stress again that no privileges and services had been withdrawn and that equal treatment had been given to all former prime ministers,” the JPM said.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir when met yesterday, admitted to still being able to enjoy the services provided by the government. — Bernama