For PM's peace of mind, 'love' must fly in private jet

Can you imagine the emotional strain Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will endure should something unfortunate happen to his wife when flying in a commercial airline?

This is the question put forth by the Federal Territories Umno in defending najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, who has been criticised for using the government executive jet for her travels. 

If she is on board an executive jet, Federal Territories delegate Affandi Zahari told the Umno general assembly, Najib need not be concerned about his wife’s safety.

"Even a stupid person can say that flying in an executive jet is more expensive than flying on a commercial jet, but the Federal Territories Umno views this from the safety aspect.

"Imagine the strain on the PM's emotions if anything happens to his wife. 

"He loves his wife, unlike other males (jantan-jantan lain)," Affandi added.

Anwar is just jealous
Debating a motion on the economy, he said Rosmah travelled to Qatar recently via executive jet on "official business" following an invitation.

"So the cabinet approved the use of the jet. She didn't go for a holiday, if she did I will also be angry... unless she invited me along," he quipped.

"We cannot compromise on safety. If the government has to pay the price, so it pays the price," he added.
    
Affandi said the jet used by the PM and his deputy was actually purchased when Anwar Ibrahim was finance minister.

So he concluded that Anwar was just jealous because he did not get to use it.

A written reply to parliament revealed that fuel and maintenance costs for government aircraft came to about RM470,000 per flight.

Affandi said it was also illogical to ask the PM and DPM to fly in commercial airlines, for they would have wait at the airport for two hours before a flight.

"Time is precious for these two... This is the convenience provided by the rakyat to the PM and DPM," he said.

Why tell PM to turn off lights?
Similarly, he said, it iwould be pointless to engage with critics on the issue of the electricity bill for Seri Perdana.        

"They want to see the PM's residence pitch black, like a graveyard... Seri Perdana is a symbol of the prestige of the Prime Minister's Office.

"If you can only afford to light five bulbs in your house then do so. Why tell the PM to turn off his lights?" he asked.

The electricity bill for Seri Perdana in 2012 exceeded RM2 million, prompting an outcry.

In response, Najib said he entertained visiting heads of state in Seri Perdana and the rakyat should not expect him to do so using candlelight.

On a separate matter, Affandi urged Najib to carefully choose the people he appoints as directors and chairpersons in government-linked companies and not just appoint them by virtue of their posts in Umno.

"Otherwise people will ask, 'Is this the best that Najib can offer us?'" he said.