Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen has refuted reports that the cabinet did not accept her explanation of the controversial RM1.8 million social media campaign.

In a brief statement sent late last night, she said that the cabinet accepted her explanation during her briefing at yesterday's weekly meeting in Putrajaya.

She also reiterated that the RM1.8 million was not spent on solely developing the Facebook page for the ministry.

The Chinese press had reported previously that the cabinet had only ‘taken note' of Ng's explanation, short of saying it was accepted.

It is also learnt that during the cabinet meeting, a few ministers had questioned Ng.

Cat jumps out of bag

ng yen yen pc parliament 160611 01 The controversy erupted when Ng's deputy James Dawos Mamit revealed in a parliamentary reply that the six-month campaign on the ministry's Facebook page named ‘Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia' had cost the government RM1.8 million.

However, Ng later claimed that the money was for the entire ‘integrated social media campaign' and was more than just setting up a Facebook page.

At press time, the official Tourism Ministry's Facebook page had recorded 38,260 ‘fans' when her target is 120,000 by year- end.

But since the outcry started earlier this week, a parody Facebook page named ‘Curi-curi Wang Malaysia' was set up, chalked up an overwhelming 110,290 fans over a span of just few days.

An online poll was also set up a few days ago on Facebook, asking if Ng should step down over the controversy, with 16,548 already responding as ‘yes'.