KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Oct: The Central Government has spent RM100 million over the past three years for the rental cost and maintenance of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private jet for his tour programmes and official visits.
Member of Parliament for Taiping, Nga Kor Ming said, the government admitted to spending RM86.4 million for the rental costs of the jet, maintenance costs (RM16.515 million) and the cost to improve the jet (RM3.23 million).
In addition, he said, the government also incurred expenses of RM44.02 million to finance Najib’s overseas trips since 2008.
“In contrast, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong travels by Singapore Airlines, first-class, when making overseas visits and it saves millions of public funds.
“The Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, always sits in the economy-class when touring or making visits.
“These exemplary actions should be emulated. It is suggested for Najib to consider flying first-class on Malaysian Airlines (MAS), and not an exclusive private jet,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
He said, when the country is facing deficit for 17 years in a row, the Umno-BN government has failed to set a good example in terms of prudent financial management.
He added that the Umno-BN government needs to submit a supplementary budget twice in Parliament due to the economic downturn.
He also asked for the Auditor General to conduct an audit on the Prime Minister’s Department which issues emolument payments and salary exceeding RM4 billion a year.
