The Prime Minister’s Office have denied claims that it had funded the engagement reception for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s daugther.

Late this evening, the premier’s press secretary Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad issued a two-paragraphed statement stating that the event was funded by the premier and his family.

“PKR’s strategic director Rafizi Ramli should apologise for his allegations, which are false, defamatory and a deliberate smear on the prime minister’s reputation.

“No public funds were used to meet the costs of his daugther’s engagement reception, which was paid for personally by the prime minister and his family,” read the statement.

The statement does not address the veracity of the document ( below ) produced by Rafizi to back his claim.

This afternoon, Rafizi held a press conference claiming that the PMO was billed RM409,767 by Shangri La Hotel for the event held at the Perdana Putra complex on June 17 last year. 

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Dinner cost RM500 per head

The dinner cost RM522 per head for 36 VIP guests, and RM359.60 per head for 862 other guests, while handling charges reached a whopping RM81,000.

The menu included lobster bisque and wagyu beef, while Shangri La also catered supper for 300 people at RM45++ per head.

Rafizi said that the document proved that it was clear that the PMO was used to channel funds for a private function.

"Even if he paid for the event from his own pocket (later), it is still a moral issue as he cannot pay for a private function through the PM's office," he said.

Najib's daugther Nooryana Najwa, 23, is engaged to Daniyar Nazarbayev, 23.

A trip to Astana, Kazakhstan last year for the pre-engagement ceremony courted controversy as opposition figures claim that public funds were abused to pay for Najib's family trip.