In a written reply to Joseph Ng (PH-Air Itam), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow gave a list of trips by his 10 exco members between January and October.

Ng had asked the government to state the cost of overseas visits for exco members and senior officers grade N41 and above.

Chow said he and his exco members made a total of 47 visits, accompanied by 108 senior aides.

Topping the list is the chief minister himself, with five trips costing RM489,675. He was accompanied by a total of 11 aides.

His week-long trip to Kenya was the most expensive, costing RM179,595, followed by a trip to Japan (RM138,405), China (RM87,900), Armenia (RM64,450) and Taiwan (RM19,325).

Works committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari made five trips to seven countries, at a cost of RM330,922, and Yeoh Soon Hin (tourism) made 10 trips to 10 countries, costing RM330,625.

The four trips to four countries by Abdul Halim Hussain (International trade) cost RM262,271.

Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman made two visits – to Morocco and Thailand – costing RM197,680. He was accompanied by 39 aides on his Thai trip, and five to Morocco.

Jagdeep Singh Deo (local government) made four trips to four countries costing RM188,715, and Dr Afif Bahardin (health) also made four visits to four countries costing RM130,205.

Phee Boon Poh (environment) visited four countries at a cost of RM101,525, and Soon Lip Chee (youth and sports) went to seven countries, which cost the state RM96,959.

Chong Eng (women’s affairs) went on one visit to Singapore with two aides, which cost 29,525, and Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy also visited Singapore on one occasion, costing RM22,530.