KUALA LUMPUR - Bernama reports that 10 Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament spent almost RM1 million ($424,700) each for various festive celebrations including open houses in their constituencies last year, the Dewan Rakyat, the Malaysian House of Representatives, was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Johari Baharum, told Bernama that they were among 196 BN MPs who used a special allocation to pay for festive celebrations like Hari Raya, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Gawai, the Keamatan Fest, Christmas, Vesak Day, the National Day and the like.

"The expenses cover food and drink; canopy and equipment rental; contributions to the poor, orphans and the disabled; and related services," he said in a written reply to a question by Tan Kok Wai, Democratic Action Party MP for Cheras.

Tan wanted to know the cost of festive celebrations held by BN parliamentarians through a special 2007 allocation and the 10 highest spending parliamentary areas.

Mohd Johari said of the 10 areas, three in Terengganu were the highest in terms of programmes, led by Kuala Terengganu which held 304 functions costing RM917,588.00.

The Kuala Nerus constituency held 248 functions costing RM946,115.30 while Marang held 186 functions costing RM914,250.00.