The government has spent about RM12 million from 2000 until June 13 this year to finance Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's official and unofficial overseas trips, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

"Although it is a large amount, the money spent was justified as the prime minister's visits have brought benefits to the country," said deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Douglas Uggah Embas.

"In 2000, the government spent RM2,549,340 for 16 official and unofficial trips abroad, RM1,824,903 in 2001 for 14 visits, and for 2002 till June 13, the amount of RM8,548,316. 60 was incurred," he said.

Douglas was replying to Dr Hassan Mohd Ali (PAS-Parit Buntar)who requested for the figures.

To a supplementary question from Hassan on why the government was spending such a big amount on these trips when the money could be used to enhance facilities in rural areas, Douglas said the trips were necessary to strengthen bilateral relations and attract foreign investments.

He added some of the visits were made because the prime minister was invited by foreign heads of state or government in recognition of his stature as a respected leader of a moderate Islamic state.

Definition of visits

Earlier, Hassan requested for an explanation on the various 'official' definitions given to the PM visits. Among the common ones are working visit, semi-official visit, and private visit but with certain official agendas.

The definitions are important as they determine if the government should pay for the visit, said the opposition MP.

He also asked why the government spent a total of RM8 million on trips over the past six months compared to about RM4 million for the past two years.

Douglas subsequently accused the opposition of deliberately stirring up the issue in order to smear the government.

He said opposition parties had even gone to the extent of telling foreign investors that the Malaysian government is practising cronyism and that the country is economically and politically unstable.

Over the past six months, Mahathir had visited the United States, Antartica, South America, Korea, Japan and several African and European nations.

His most recent visit was to the Vatican city where he met Pope John Paul IV, after which he flew to Luxembourg and Switzerland.

Next month, the jet-setting premier is expected to visit Thailand.