Khairy says ministry forced to pay for K-pop concert after sponsors withdrew

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) said his ministry was forced to pay for the K-pop

concert held during the Youth Day celebration last year after the initial sponsors backed off.

"The earlier statement that the concert was sponsored by a private party was made as at that time, there was an offer from them to pay for the concert," Khairy explained in a posting on his official Facebook page today.

He said the sponsorship plan, however, did not materialise, resulting in the ministry having to make the payment.

"For your information, the K-pop concert has been cancelled for the 2013 Youth Day celebration herein," he added.

The Auditor-General's report revealed yesterday that RM1.6 million spent to bring in three South Korean pop groups to perform at the concert had come from the government’s coffers. "I cannot reason by saying the report on the ministry's expenditure was made before I was elected its minister."

Khairy said based on the need for collective responsibility he must answer and react to anything that occurs in his ministry.

"We cannot run away from responsibilities and due duties entrusted upon us," he added.

Khairy said he also viewed seriously the revelations made in the Auditor-General's report and if one is serious about transforming the government towards one that is more transparent, then the revelations cannot be brushed aside.

"The people do not want to see their leaders keeping mum over the report."

With this in mind, Khairy said he has also explained that in the case of work claims paid by the National Youth Council, where repeated payments had been made for the same work, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has already conducted an investigation.

"I was told the probing is at its final stage," he said.

Khairy said that he has also instructed his officers to check on other matters highlighted in the audit report and to brief him on their findings before action is taken on those responsible.

"Government funds are the people's money. We must be accountable for every sen spent," he added. - October 2, 2013