The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has been urged to probe former tourism minister Ng Yen Yen over RM5.2 million the ministry spent on events in her former constituency, Raub.

Seremban MP Anthony Loke said the expenses, highlighted in the Public Accounts Committee report on the ministry, was without justification.

“The report said the instructions came from the Tourism Ministry headquarters. Who was calling the shots? Must be the minister, right?” Loke said in a press conference at the parliament lobby today.

The events in question were held when Ng was tourism minister and Raub MP.

The PAC report tabled yesterday had highlighted 12 events held in Raub between Sept 2011 until January 2012, which cost RM5.2 million in total.

It said there was no justification for these expenses, and noted that tourist arrivals in Raub was only 0.4 percent of the national statistics.

The most costly event was a Chinese New Year celebration between Ng and tourism industry players on Jan 28, 2012, which cost RM1.3 million.

“What food was served that so expensive that required RM1.3 million?… What was the door gift? Was there corruption?

“Ng should explain herself… the MACC should investigate this,” Loke said.

Another costly event highlighted in the PAC report was a joint Christmas and Raya Aidilfitri do for tourism industry players on Dec 21, 2011, which cost RM981,000.

In the PAC report, then Tourism and Culture Ministry chief secretary Ong Hong Peng said Raub was chosen for these events as part of the National Blue Ocean Strategy.

Raub was also apparently chosen as part of efforts to turn the Pahang constituency into a new tourism destination.

The current DAP Raub MP Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz however, said the effects of these events are not visible.

“Raub has a large number of waterfalls, but you can't see any impact of (Ng's) efforts to develop the tourism industry in Raub,” Ariff said.

PAC, however, made no specific recommendations regarding this, only urging the Tourism and Culture Ministry ensure it has a better system to ensure financial procedures are adhered to, in order to minimise risk and corruption in the ministry's events.