Flying high on corporate sponsorships: Did PMX’s overseas trips breach civil service rules?

WHEN Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat – boasting about the private sector covering up to 80% of his recent overseas trips’ costs – it seemed like a win of fiscal prudence.

After all, who wouldn’t want to save taxpayers’ money? But scratch beneath the surface and troubling questions come to the fore.

PETRONAS, Sapura Energy Bhd, Yinson Holdings Bhd and PROTON were among the corporate knights gallantly footing the bill as PMX trailblazed across three continents. But here’s the uncomfortable question: at what cost, exactly?

The Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 3 Tahun 1998 – Malaysia’s civil service gift guidelines – is clear.

Public servants cannot accept gifts )in this case, travel sponsorships) linked to their official duties without proper checks and balances. These are not just rules for show; they’re meant to protect the integrity of public office and prevent the perception (or reality) of undue influence.

Did the highest office of the land just breach Section 5 of the guidelines? If so, how is the Prime Minister’s Office expected to set an example for low-ranking officials not to accept Hari Raya hampers or the likes?

Breeding corruption

And let’s talk about perception. The companies involved in this jet-setting arrangement aren’t exactly mom-and-pop shops.

They have significant stakes in government policies and decisions. The guidelines explicitly warn against situations where such relationships might create suspicion. But going by the PMX administration’s logic, suspicion doesn’t travel in business class.

Coming from the Madani government – a coalition that claims to champion good governance and transparency – this cozy corporate arrangement feels more than a little off-brand.

PMX often waxes lyrical about reform and accountability but accepts travel sponsorships from corporations as though it’s a badge of honour. Is this a case of cakap tak serupa bklin (failing to walk the talk)?

Being conferred Peru’s El Sol de Peru or “The Sun of Peru” order is no excuse to normalise private sector sponsorship for his overseas trip (even if this will cut down on ‘wastage’ of taxpayers’ money)

To be fair, PMX did argue that this is a cost-saving measure. Given the tough economic climate, saving taxpayer money is commendable.

But cost-saving should not come at the expense of ethical governance. Transparency in such matters is not optional – It is foundational.

There is also the issue of precedent. If PMX, the supposed torchbearer/role model of Madani ideals, can sidestep transparency for the sake of “efficiency,” what stops future leaders from taking this a step further?

It maybe travel sponsorships today but who knows what comes next? A slippery slope that will see the nation sink awaits.

PMX’s continental trip may have been about strengthening diplomatic ties and attracting investment but it inadvertently opened the door to bigger questions about the government’s integrity.

Transparency is not just a nice-to-have; it’s the difference between inspiring confidence and sowing doubt. Malaysians deserve leaders who understand that even when they are globetrotting across three continents on someone else’s dime. – Focus Malaysia