In a statement, Muhyiddin said a written reply by Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Armizan Ali proved that such claims were a “lie”.

Armizan, Muhyiddin said, had in February revealed that the PN government spent only RM181,752 on a rebranding exercise.

A check by FMT shows that Armizan’s reply focused solely on money spent on a rebranding exercise and made no mention of funds for Covid-19 related promotions.

“Such frivolous claims are yet another example of Anwar’s malicious lies,” Muhyiddin said.

At the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the prime minister revealed that RM700 million had been spent since 2020 to promote the government.

Anwar said the bulk of the spending was handled by the Prime Minister’s Office for advertisements and media buys to promote government initiatives.

He also said that RM500 million was spent during Muhyiddin’s tenure.

Muhyiddin today said advertisements on billboards, television and radio were focused on Covid-19 related messages, including on aid and stimulus packages, after the country was struck by the pandemic.

He also called out Anwar for reneging on his promise not to waste public funds on billboards.

“Yet, today, we see huge Madani billboards everywhere.”