This comes after the multimillion-ringgit works came under scrutiny from a number of MPs.

Latiff said in a statement today the renovations were approved on March 19, with work beginning shortly after on March 29.

Initially, the project was expected to be completed by Dec 7, but he said it was ahead of schedule, having been 74% completed as of today and ahead of the 71% progress that had been expected.

He said the renovations were necessary as the building had “suffered a lot of damage” in the 22 years since it was built.

It was previously reported that the RM30 million renovations at the prime minister’s official residence were necessary to ensure safety as well as preserve the country’s image during visits by key dignitaries.

The explanation came after Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) had sought justification for the spending at a time when Malaysians were reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Similarly, Kubang Pasu MP Amiruddin Hamzah, at a press conference yesterday, questioned the spending and said he could not see the damage that would justify such a hefty spending.

At the same event, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said the millions could have funded over 200,000 food baskets in 70 constituencies.

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