As prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi deserves the best security available. But does it have to cost a whopping RM20 million?

This is the question posed by an opposition parliamentarian during the Budget 2007 debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras) said he has reliable information that the 'maintenance and replacement' works being carried out on the security system at Seri Perdana will hit the RM20 million mark.

"The prime minister as the highest leader in the country deserves the best security system at his residence. But is there something suspicious about the unusually high quotation?" he asked.

The MP also provided a breakdown (see chart) of the items and work involved.

Topping the list is the RM4.29 million to upgrade the anti-terrorist barricade, followed by RM3.88 million for the perimeter intrusion detection system and RM3.46 million for the close circuit television system (CCTV).

Whereas mobilisation, workers compensation, all risks insurance, clearing of rubbish and coordination works amounted to RM1.32 million.

"Why are some of these items, such as the CCTV, so expensive compared to the normal price. Furthermore, some 30 percent of the works being done are using local products," said Tan, who also questioned the tender process.

"Was there an open tender for the project? If it was a limited tender, why was the particular company chosen? Has the premier consulted the government experts (on security) beforehand?" he asked.

"How many years has it been since Seri Perdana was built? Why do we need to upgrade the security system so soon?" he queried further.

Tan said the government should explain this during the four-day ministerial winding-up scheduled for next week.

Seri Perdana, which is located in the administrative capital Putrajaya, cost RM200 million to build. It is a sprawling complex covering an area of 16 hectares. Seri Perdana saw its first occupant, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, move in around 1999.

Money politics

Meanwhile, Tan, in his debate on the Budget 2007, also touched on the ongoing spat between Abdullah and Mahathir.

He said Abdullah's instruction for Kedah Umno to investigate Mahathir's claim of money politics in last Saturday's Kubang Pasu division delegates contest was nothing short of a 'joke'.

"Those who were asked to conduct an investigation are the masterminds behind Mahathir's defeat, how do you expect them to probe it. Isn't this a charade?" he asked.

"Mahathir became the victim of money politics in Umno (a culture) which he built," he said, adding that Abdullah should instruct the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate the matter.

In another development, DAP Negeri Sembilan leader Loke Siew Fook urged the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate several findings contained in the 2005 Auditor-General's report.

The report stated that out of the RM41.4 million provided to the Negeri Sembilan state government under a special welfare fund meant for the poor, RM5.44 million had been used to acquire furniture for the Seremban and Port Dickson district councils' office.

Another RM4.5 million was used to convert the state's official guest house into the menteri besar's official residence.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan has denied the findings.

Lok, who is also the Lobak state assemblyperson, submitted a memorandum regarding this to PAC deputy chief Dr Tan Seng Giaw at the Parliament lobby today.

Tan said the PAC will investigate the report as stated earlier.