Does Malaysia really need an additional envoy for East Asia, who will cost the taxpayers a conservative estimate of about RM2 million a year? Absolutely not, according to Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tsin.

And less so at times of austerity, when the government is taking steps to cut government spending to match the burdens shouldered by the people.

“The prime minister has recently announced austerity measures in its 11 steps to cut government spending.

“He should announce a further step twelve - abolish all paid positions of four special envoys and 13 special advisers under the Prime Minister’s Department,” Sim ( left ) said in a statement.

Sim said that the appointment of Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing as East Asian special ambassador does not make sense on many levels.

For starters, he said, Malaysia already has diplomatic professionals in East Asian countries like South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, while the International Trade and Industry Ministry handles trade matters.

Tiong, too, is not an expert in East Asia so there is little added value to paying close to RM30,000 a month plus perks to have him on as a special envoy.

“Professionally, is (Tiong) an East Asian geo-political expert? Is he an expert in East Asian economic and trade? Is this one of the political rewards given to him to compensate for the fact that he was not appointed as a minister in the current cabinet?” he asked.

Tiong is the Najib Abdul Razak's administratoin's fourth special envoy, after Jamaluddin Jarjis (special envoy for the United States), Ong Ka Ting (China) and S Samy Vellu (India, below ).

All are veteran politicians, while Jamaluddin, Ong and Samy were cabinet ministers.

PM Najib has also appointed 13 special advisors, some with ministerial status.

According to a written reply to Parliament, a special ambassador takes home a monthly salary of RM27,227.20, plus other allowances and benefits enjoyed by cabinet ministers.

These include police escorts, special officers and aides as well as paid travel around the world on the taxpayers' tab.

“Conservatively, these appointments of special officers will cost our government more than RM2 million a year,” he said.

The PM's special advisers include former Women, Family and Community Development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and former Besut MP Abdullah Md Zin.