When financially strained, the most logical conclusion would be to keep expenditure low. But the Selayang Municipal Council or MPS appears to have found an alternative...

Blow RM240,000 on a so-called study tour to faraway lands and while there, reportedly put up in plush hotels, play golf and do some fishing.

On Monday, the Sun daily reported that the nine-day trip to Mauritius and South Africa, was led by MPS president Zainal Abidin Azim ( left ). He was accompanied by 14 councillors and 10 department heads.

It is learnt that council secretary Jamri Basni was also part of the entourage, which left on Jan 31 and expected to return today.

According to the daily, the trip cost RM10,000 per head and those who went would 'reimburse' MPS via a RM500 deduction per month from their allowances.

Despite some contractors crying foul that the council had not paid them on the ground of lacking funds, the daily reported that MPS had paid for the trip in advance.

Poser on cost?

While the councillors 'studied', ratepayers in Selayang complained of having to dodge potholes, among other problems, in their neighbourhood.

"Why should MPS extend money to the participants?" asked irate rate payer Koh Swee Yong.

"A quarter of a million is a lot of money and if left in a bank, it could generate much interest that rightfully belongs to the people," he said when contacted.

He added that the councillors should instead embark on a study tour of the numerous potholes and other problems in the area under their jurisdiction.

As for the reimbursement, Koh, who is also Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-president, said those who went on the trip would take up to 20 months to settle the debt.

However, he is not convinced that the trip cost RM10,000 per person.

"Considering that it's a nine-day trip with (reported) five-star accommodation, I doubt that RM10,000 is the actual amount," he said.

Business class

According to another report in the Chinese language Sin Chew Daily today, MPS councillor Goh Ah Ling, who was not part of the delegation, said some of those with a 'higher social status' flew in business class.

A check with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) revealed that a plane ticket for a round trip to Johannesburg on the business class would cost RM18,370.

Contacted today, MPS councillor Yip Kum Fook said MPS would usually pay in advance for such trips and deduct the money from their allowances later.

Councillors, who normally serve for two years, rake in between RM600 and RM700 in monthly allowances.

However, when quizzed on the itinerary that allegedly included golf and fishing, Yip said he had no knowledge about this as he did not want to go on the trip due to other commitments.

Last year, a similar study tour to Egypt by the Selangor Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had also generated a furore after it was revealed that belly-dancing performances and a cruise were on the list.