It was reported by the Sun newspaper on 13th May 2008:

That the Petronas’ Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) costs Petronas RM3.5 million every month to sustain.

Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) had pointed this out during his debate in parliament on the motion of thanks on the royal address in Parliament today, charging that these funds, spent on the orchestra, which is made up of only 5% locals and the other 95% consist of foreigners, could be utilised better.

"Where the Barisan Nasional (BN) government refuses to allow Petronas to share its profits with the people, this giant fuel company is wiling to pay its foreign musicians a monthly wage of between RM16,000 and RM28,000 a month.”

"Each of them have two months paid leave. The conductor is paid RM130,000 a month and his assistant RM50,000. Since its 10 years of establishment, the orchestra has cost Petronas RM500 million," he was reported to have said.

Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, as well as being an MP, questioned willingness of petronas "to waste so much money but does not give any benefit to the local musicians", reiterating his call for its profits to be handed out to the people to help them cope with rising prices.

One has to wonder who benefits from the MPO, I am certain that only a minute percentage of Malaysians have been able to enjoy any of the performances, as the price of tickets, although the well-heeled may find them reasonable, are way beyond the means of most Malaysians.

Everyone who lives outside of Kuala Lumpur is at a great disadvantage, as the travelling time and associated cost would make attending the MPO performances even less attractive.