More meaningless billions

Here are more meaningless numbers to me:

• From Malaysiakini: The government has spent a total of RM3.2 billion over the past five years to carry out the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, Deputy Education Minister Razali Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat on (14 May 2008). Out of the amount, the government paid a whopping RM2.21 billion for the purchase of information and computer technology (ICT) equipments.

• From Liew Chin Tong: The construction of the federal administrative capital Putrajaya has cost a whopping RM11.83 billion, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi revealed in Parliament. In a written reply to Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Bukit Bendera), Abdullah said the cost covers the development of the government departments, the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, the official residences of the premier, his deputy, ministers, judges and other facilities.

What I do know is that the RM3.2 billion and RM11.83 billion can sure buy a lot of rice from neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam. Duh....

Note: My earlier blog post here.