Selangor exco members Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Dr Halimah Ali today denied the allegation by their former colleague Hasan Ali that they too have carried out pricey renovations to their offices.

exco interview 170408 halimah ali Halimah said she never renovated her office since assuming the education, higher education and human development portfolio in 2008.

"No... no," said Halimah briefly when met by reporters at the state assembly building in Shah Alam.

Met later, Xavier let out a hearty laugh when told of Hasan’s allegations.

"I can take all of you to see my office. You can compare my office with Hasan's office," said the exco member in charge of health, plantation workers, poverty and compassionate government.

He said a new carpet was put in his office and two meeting rooms were partitioned in early 2009, all costing less than RM100,000.

xavier jayakumar pc 190110 01 "This is a mischievous allegation, an absolute lie. He is trying to find excuses... I will announce the detailed cost tomorrow," he said, adding that his office even installed used air conditioners taken from other offices in the state government building to save costs.

Hasan, who held the portfolio of Islamic affairs, Malay customs, infrastructure and public amenities before he was removed, was alleged by PKR's Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyperson Azmin Ali of wasting hundreds of thousands of ringgit while he was in office.

Among others, Hasan is alleged to have spent RM300,000 to renovate his state exco office.

However, Hasan today argued that the cost was reasonable because the office also accommodated 19 other staff from the microcredit scheme department.

He also alleged that Xavier and Halimah had spent significantly more in renovating their offices.