'It's his privilege', Putrajaya tight-lipped on cost of PM's trips

The government has remained tight-lipped on the total expenses incurred from the use of private jets by Anwar Ibrahim since assuming the position of prime minister.

Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi from Perikatan Nasional requested the prime minister to disclose the cost of using the government's private jet, as well as its destinations and purposes from December 2022 until April.

In response, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak and Special Functions) Armizan Mohd Ali said the use of the government's executive aircraft is a privilege enjoyed by all prime ministers.

Since becoming prime minister, Anwar has used the government's executive Airbus aircraft under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Department for official overseas missions on nine occasions, he said.

The countries Anwar has visited include Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, and China.

Armizan added that Anwar, who is also Tambun MP, has used the government's executive aircraft of the Global Express and Falcon types under the Royal Malaysian Air Force for official duties to 17 domestic destinations.

However, he did not provide details on the destinations and the associated expenses.

"The jet in question is a government official aircraft the prime minister uses for official or special businesses," he said in the response yesterday.

"All expenses incurred in these flights are estimated to be in accordance with the services and management of the respective aircraft."