(The Malay Mail) - THE government spent RM2.9 million on the prime minister's trips to the United Kingdom and the United States in May, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said RM849,175.33 was spent on Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's visit to London from May 13 to 15 and RM1.6 million on his visit to the U.S. from May 15 to 18.

The prime minister visited London to attend a reception hosted by the Prince of Wales in an event to celebrate the granting of the Royal Charter to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, said Nazri in a written reply to Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh).

Nazri said the prime minister made a working visit to New York to attend the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council meeting.

He said RM452,985.74 was incurred by officials who accompanied the prime minister during his personal visit to Washington from May 19 to 24 after his working visit.

"The government financed only the expenses incurred by government officials who accompanied the prime minister during his personal visit," he said.