Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur today yet again cleared Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of allegations of abuse of power relating to his birthday bash last June.

NONE In a brief press statement, the hotel management said the July 24, 2011, event which cost about RM80,000 was fully paid by Najib ( right ) himself.

“Upon completion of the catering event, the hotel received full payment from the PM on Aug 16, 2011.

“We confirm that the above-mentioned event was not paid by the Prime Minister’s Office,” it said in response to queries from news portal Free Malaysia Today .

It also verified that the banquet event order (BEO) for the event held at Najib’s official residence Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, released to the press by PKR is authentic.

The BEO states that RM21,495 was spent on food and beverages, RM31,800 on flower arrangements and RM13,038 on two live bands, while a RM12,720 handling charge was also imposed for the 100-person dinner.

This is the second BEO exposed by PKR, the first being for Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa’s engagement party at the same place a week before her father’s birthday bash.

The event had cost about RM400,000, with the BEO stating that the bill was to be made out to the PMO, but Shangri-La later said the PM had picked up the tab .

Since the exposes, Najib, who champions wasatiah (moderation)  has been slammed for hosting extravagant parties while at the same time asking the rakyat to tighten their belts.