RM100 million for 50th Merdeka Day bash

On my way to work today, I was reading the TODAY newspaper. The article was on our Merdeka Day bash, which cost us a whopping RM100mil. The excerpts of the article is as below.

$43 million for Merdeka Day bash
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's government drew accusations of extravagance yesterday after revealing that celebrations for its 50th anniversary of independence cost taxpayers at least RM100 million ($43 million).
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The criticism came amid growing scrutiny by opposition parties over the use of state funds, including government plans to offer a loan, which critics say is tantamount to a bailout, to a port authority saddled with a US$1-billion ($1.5-billion) debt.
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Authorities spent an estimated RM100.6 million on parades, festivities and flag-waving campaigns that culminated in the Aug 31 celebration of Merdeka Day, which marked 50 years of Malaysian independence from Britain, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin told Parliament on Tuesday, in response to the opposition's questions.
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Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said "a more modest figure" would have sufficed.
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He added: "It shows a lack of fiscal discipline. There must be more government accountability."
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On Tuesday, Mr Awang said the expenses were "appropriate," and the cost fit the occasion. — AP

A 100mil ringgit. What an grossly extravagant sum, even for a 50th National Day. It is in my opinion, that it is TRULY A WASTE OF MONEY! A 100mil!

A 100mil would do much good to our country. Giving it to charity or building more roads or even constructing a building to called Merdeka Tower would be even more useful.

I guess Malaysia really has another new milestone in our Malaysian Book of Records. How to burn RM100mil in one nite. Malaysia Boleh!