While Malaysians and people across the globe are engrossed with developments on Flight MH370, details concerning another aircraft have surfaced: this time a private jet, on which Malaysian First Lady Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor flew last November, at the expense of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Malaysian taxpayer.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim stated in a written reply to parliamentarian Loke Siew Fook (DAP – Seremban) that the PM’s Office spent RM349,480 to fly Rosmah out to the 4th Qatar International Business Women’s Forum. He also said the costs were separated into two main parts.
“The total flight cost involved RM196,614 for fuel and RM229,875 for navigation cost, airport traffic and ground handling agent,” he said.
Loke had asked for a breakdown of the flight cost for the use of the Government’s executive plane to fly Rosmah to the forum.
Earlier this year, Rosmah’s trip and the Federal Government’s expenditure to make it happen raised eyebrows and questions as to the propriety of using taxpayer funds for the travel expenses of an elected official, even if said elected official is the Prime Minister.
Story: The Star Online
