PARLIAMENT Former Apco Malaysia boss Paul Stadlen, who allegedly managed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's massive press operations, was never hired as a government servant.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said stated this in a written reply to Parliament yesterday.

"Paul Stadlen was not a government servant (Paul Stadlen bukan merupakan kakitangan kerajaan)," Azalina said.

"Thus, he has never received any allowance and wages from the government," she said.

Whistleblower website Sarawak Report has claimed that Stadlen headed the communication operations of the Prime Minister's Office.

Azalina also confirmed that the advertising wizard Lim Kok Wing, who resigned as Najib's special programmes coordinator, was never paid by the government.

"He was not given any allowance or salary during his tenure," she said.

[More to follow]