A total of RM2.3 million was spent on setting up new offices for cabinet ministers in the Parliament building, the Dewan Rakyat was told are among snippets from the House today.

RM2.3mil for ministers' offices in Parliament

parliament house cost of renovation 300608 Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has revealed that RM2.3 million was spent on renovations for the cabinet ministers' new offices in the Parliament building.

In a written reply to Loke Siew Fook (DAP-Rasah), the premier said the project was awarded to Isbul Holdings Sdn Bhd based in Shah Alam through direct negotiations.

The ministers' offices were set up in Parliament before the commencement of the 12th Parliament session in April as they were required to turn up in Parliament more often now.

Batu Puteh: Don't blame M'sian legal team

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said the Malaysian legal team should not be blamed for losing the Batu Puteh case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"We should not point our finger at the Malaysian team who had worked hard to defend the nation's sovereignty of our case in ICJ.

"They had done research on Malaysia's sovereignty over Batu Puteh all over the world and with full dedication for close to 30 years from 1979 to 2007," Rais said in a written reply to Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) and John Fernandez (DAP-Seremban).

Gov't defends Petronas' Philharmonic Orchestra

The government has defended the decision to continue with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) being funded by Petronas, the state-owned oil company.

Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department, SK Devamany said that not many companies in the country which could well-afford to sponsor its musical programme.

"This initiative by Petronas should be emulated by other companies in the country," he told Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) during the oral question session.

He said its ‘intrinsic value' was priceless for many and cannot be compared with money.