PUTRAJAYA: The government saved about RM900,000 by using a private chartered flight for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent working and official visits abroad, says Fahmi Fadzil.
The government spokesman and Communications Minister said the cost of using the Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350 came to RM6.162mil.
The government paid RM1.662mil or 27% of this amount while the business delegation covered the balance of RM4.5mil, he added.
"It is important to emphasise here that the government covers the cost of all the Prime Minister's travel.
"His travel expenses are not borne by any private companies but by the government.
"However, by chartering this special flight, the government saw savings of over RM900,000 as using (the government) aircraft would have cost RM2.5mil," he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here on Friday (Nov 15).
ALSO READ: Private companies covered 75% of costs for recent official trips abroad, PM tells Dewan Rakyat (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/21/private-companies-partially-subsidised-recent-official-trips-abroad-pm-tells-dewan-rakyat)
On Thursday (Nov 21), the government announced in the Dewan Rakyat that it had implemented a new strategy to minimise expenses during official visits overseas.
Anwar said private companies involved in the trade aspects of the working visits would pay about 75% of the total travel costs.
“They paid for their flight expenses, which means they covered about 75% of our overseas travel costs.
“The government supports these companies in either importing or exporting and they, in turn, assist with the travel expenditure,” he said.
However, the Opposition called for transparency over this out of concern that corporate interests could influence government decisions and erode public trust.
At Friday's press conference, Fahmi pointed out that other matters such as accommodation, meals and ground transport for the government delegation were managed and paid for either by the government or event organisers for such occasions as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) and G20 meetings.
"Therefore, there is no issue of (government officials') accommodation, meals, or flights being paid for by private firms," he said.
Anwar returned to Malaysia on Wednesday (Nov 20) after completing visits to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Peru and Brazil from Nov 9 to 19 to strengthen strategic cooperation and generate investments for Malaysia.
He also led the Malaysian delegation to the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) in Peru and the G20 Summit in Brazil.
