More questions raised about Anwar's overseas trips amid uproar over companies picking up bill

Questions have been raised about the purpose and cost of Anwar Ibrahim's visits abroad following the prime minister's startling revelation in Parliament recently that the bulk of the expenditure for his latest five-nation trip was borne by the private sector.

Anwar had spent about two weeks overseas, visiting China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Peru, and Brazil from Nov 4 to 19, adding to a long list of countries he has made official trips to since taking over Putrajaya in 2022.

On Nov 21, he told Dewan Negara that about 75% of the cost had been covered by companies such as Petronas, Sapura Energy, Yinson, and Proton.

He said the private funding was "another way" to reduce government costs under his administration.

The revelation sparked public outrage on social media, as opposition leaders called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the prime minister, and describing his administration as being under the influence of large cooperations. 

A day later, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied that the private sector had funded the government delegation.

Instead, he said the companies covered the costs of its own staff accompanying the prime minister, adding that government officials had also shared a chartered flight with the private sector representatives during the trips.

Former chairman of reforms coalition Bersih Maria Chin Abdullah said Anwar might have forgotten his own statements two years ago on the matter of private sponsorship.

"This recent change in policy – less than two years – needs to be accounted for," the former Petaling Jaya MP told MalaysiaNow.

"Otherwise, it will send the wrong message that some special privileges or treatment, or even allegedly dubious arrangements have been agreed upon between the government or individuals with private capitals."

Maria said that while cooperation with the private sector was allowed, it should be used for projects such as the construction of highways and hospitals.

Adding that questions would arise over the cost if it was high enough to necessitate private sponsorship, she said the people should know what benefits were gained through these visits regardless of who footed the bill.

"How many people need to go on such trips?" she said.

"We do know of ministers travelling but not in detail as to the reasons for the visits, how many were in their delegations, and the outcomes of their visits."

The head of Malay pressure group said the visits appeared to have no clear agenda for the country.

"The prime ministers before him achieved things for the country through their trips abroad," said Ghafar Mohamad, chairman of the Malay Professionals Organisation, or ProWaris.

"Anwar's trips were about his image, but what about the country?"

He added that Anwar's policies were still vague, causing confusion over the country's direction.

Ghafar questioned the presence of business tycoons in Anwar's delegation on these trips.

"Is he trying to tell us that he is running the country backed by big corporations, like in the US?"

He likewise hit out at Anwar's statements on Gaza and Palestine, describing them as ineffective.

"Of course the Arab countries know his bluff," he said.

"They don't sit still. They read about us. How can you respond to a guy who flip-flops on his stance?"