‘Nothing excessive about jet maintenance’

Minister Shahidan Kassim said the cost is based on the price established by the companies.

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of excessive spending to maintain the Prime Minister’s jets does not arise because they are not exclusively used by the Prime Minister.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim said Malaysia has seven executive jets for official use by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to carry out official businesses of the nation.

“Maintenance is carried out by companies which had been determined. It will be dangerous if we do not maintain them as it involves the safety of national leaders.

“The cost is also based on the price established by the companies carrying out the maintenance work,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

Earlier, Taiping Member of Parliament Nga Kor Ming had a media conference to comment on the written answer which he received from Shahidan.

In the written answer, Shahidan said the government spent US$25.2 million (RM80.53 million) for rental, RM16.515 million for maintenance and RM3.32 million on improvement of the VVIP jets, from 2010 to 2012.

The expenditure involved scheduled routine maintenance following regulations stipulated by the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation, he said.

Shahidan also said the Prime Minister would take longer to reach a destination using a normal flight as compared to using an executive jet.

On the Sungai Limau State Assembly constituency by-election on Nov 4, Shahidan, who is also Perlis State Umno Liaison chief, said Perlis Umno would mobilise 2,000 members to help in the campaign and ensure a Barisan Nasional victory.

-Bernama