Lawyer slams Anwar over use of govt chopper for campaign event

A lawyer has hit out at Anwar Ibrahim for using a government helicopter for travel to a programme in Kedah, describing it as "arrogance" on the part of the prime minister and recalling his criticism of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government for its use of similar assets during his time in the opposition.

Rafique Rashid said Anwar was entitled to use the helicopter in his capacity as prime minister. 

However, he said Anwar had been using the same type of transport nearly every day to tour the six states facing elections on Aug 12. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said Anwar and his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition had, while in the opposition, been vocal against the BN government for its use of government assets including the misuse of ministry assets during election campaigns. 

"The cost is borne by the people, but the one that benefits is the party led by PM10," he said, using the initialism referring to Anwar as the 10th prime minister. 

"Why has there been no rebuke from the other coalition parties?" 

Anwar, the PH chairman, had arrived by helicopter at two programmes in Jeniri and Kupang on Aug 4. 

The Felda area is part of the Jeneri state constituency which is being defended by its incumbent, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, against Umno's Sik division chief Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim.

Anwar reportedly travelled to the programmes on an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter with the aircraft number 9M-JPM.

Two other helicopters were also seen landing in a public field near the event venues. 

On Saturday, Anwar hit out at those who criticised him for using the government's helicopter, saying it was his right as the prime minister.

"I take a helicopter to Jeneri and they get angry, 'Why go by helicopter?' This is a government helicopter, why get upset about it?

"It's the government's, not mine. You can't use it, the prime minister can," he was reported as saying at a programme in Felda Teloi Timur.

Rafique said Anwar's response was further proof of "PM10's arrogance".

He also said that Anwar's use of the helicopter to attend government programmes could cause negative perceptions to arise, as the people might see it as a misuse of assets ahead of the six state elections. 

Electoral watchdog Bersih had also warned against the misuse of government assets for campaign purposes following Anwar's move. 

"Bersih realises that we cannot completely prevent the use of government machinery for campaigning, but politicians who have this advantage because of the mandate given to them by the people must always be humble and not pretend or show off as if those who bought the machinery in question did so out of their own pocket. 

"Arrogant and haughty attitudes such as those shown by the prime minister might backfire because the people will not agree with the misuse of government machinery for campaigning," it said in a statement on Aug 5. 

"The reforms that PH is championing need to be implemented without fail, and not simply lip service as an election pledge."