THE government saved nearly RM1 million on special flight charters for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visits to five countries.
Government spokesman and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the cost of using the Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350 came to RM6.162 million.
The government paid RM1.662 million or 27% of this amount while the business delegation covered the balance of RM4.5 million, he added.
“What’s important is that the government paid for the prime minister’s flights. The prime minister’s (flights) were not funded by any company but by the government,” he said at a press conference today.
He added that the government also covered the expenses for its delegation’s accommodation, food and beverage, as well as transportation.
Fahmi said that using this private charter strategy resulted in cost savings of nearly RM900,000 compared to using an official government jet.
In Parliament yesterday, Anwar explained the government’s new strategy to reduce overseas travel expenses was to invite companies such as Petronas, Proton, and others to participate.
Anwar said private companies involved in the trade aspects of the working visits would pay about 75% of the total travel costs. - November 22, 2024
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