Rosmah: Use of private jets for work, not fun

Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife, has defended her use of government-sponsored private jets for visits abroad, saying these trips were for work and not leisure.

According to a lengthy interview at her residence with Malaysia Gazette, Rosmah said her tight schedule has meant that the use of commercial airlines was unsuitable.

"We work to a schedule, especially when a programme is prepared by the host," she was quoted as saying.

She said that the trips were referred to the cabinet, which had considered security and time, before granting approval.

The government-sponsored private jet facility had been in place even before her husband, Najib Abdul Razak, became prime minister, she said.

[More to follow]