KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Oct 2008: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan spent close to RM1.5million for 11 official trips overseas in 20 months, the Federal Territories Ministry revealed.
In a written reply to Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras), Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said Abdul Hakim made seven trips last year and four trips this year, which cost a total of RM1.46 million.
The most expensive trip was an 11-day excursion for five participants from 29 May to 8 June this year to Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany, which cost a whopping RM370,315 with RM19,873.50 for allowance.
The trip was to accompany Zulhasnan to study and compare the mechanism of the federal state entities and federal territories as well as local government’s law management and administration structure in other countries.
Abdul Hakim also went to Shanghai and Beijing with his officers this year and spent a total of RM62,904.04 with RM8,621.21 claimed for allowance.
Last year, Abdul Hakim and his officers visited Perth, Stockholm, Helsinki, London, Dubai and Istanbul, besides travelling to South Korea and Japan. The total cost to taxpayers, including allowances, was almost RM989,000.
Met at the lobby later, Tan said the expenses were “ridiculously high”.
“No wonder he is nicknamed the ‘frequent traveller’ in DBKL,” quipped the MP. 
