PUTRAJAYA: The government has saved nearly RM1 million in using special flight charters for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent visit to five countries in East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the government had spent RM1.662 million, or 27 per cent of the total flight expenses for Anwar and his delegates, whereas the business delegation on the same flight covered 73 per cent of the cost amounting to RM4.5 million.
He also clarified that the business delegates had paid for their own cost.
During the trip, Anwar was joined by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and their deputy ministers.
"It is important for me to clarify that the government bears the cost of the prime minister's flights. The prime minister is not funded by any company; the government covers these expenses.
"What happened was that through the special aircraft charter (for all official and business delegates), the government managed to save costs compared to using the existing aircraft (the A319 aircraft with a maximum capacity of 20 people), which would have amounted to RM2.5 million.
"The special charter has resulted in savings of nearly RM900,000 for the government," he said during a post-cabinet meeting press conference today.
Yesterday, Anwar said nearly 80 per cent of the costs for the visits were covered by private companies.
During the Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar stated that part of the costs were also borne by private companies involved in the meetings abroad.
Several groups had questioned Anwar's statements with Muda questioning how the firms were selected and whether there were any tangible benefits for these companies.
Bersatu Youth also called for Anwar to be investigated, claiming that Anwar could have flouted the law, including Section 165 of the Penal Code, which dealt with a "public servant obtaining any valuable thing, without consideration, from a person concerned in any proceeding or business transacted" by such public servant.
Fahmi said all matters related to accommodation, food and transportation was managed by the government or the event organisers for events, such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) and G20.
"Therefore, there is no issue regarding accommodation, meals and flights being covered by the companies.
"These companies have investment intentions or objectives in the countries they are visiting. For example, Petronas has investments amounting to US$6 billion in Brazil. As such, they are part of the delegation, but they pay for their own tickets," he said.
Earlier this month, Anwar undertook a working visit to China from Nov 4 until 7 at the invitation of his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, to attend the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
He then went to Beijing for a courtesy call with President Xi Jinping.
After China, Anwar visited Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Peru and Brazil from Nov 9 to 19 to strengthen strategic cooperation and generate significant investment potential for Malaysia.
During the trip, he led the Malaysian delegation to the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) in Peru and the G20 Summit in Brazil.
On viral postings claiming that Nurul Izzah Anwar was part of the official delegation, Fahmi clarified that she was among those who had received an official invitation from the organisers.
Previously, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government has saved nearly RM1 million by using special flight charters for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent visits to foreign countries. Fahmi, the unity government spokesman said private companies paid for their own cost.