PMO: Purchase of new jet due to safety, maintenance concerns

(The Star) – The Government purchased a new airplane, an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ320), to replace an older one out of maintenance cost and safety concerns.

The Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement that the purchase was a cost-saving move made through hire purchase agreement for 15 years.

“The older aircraft, a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) will be disposed off to finance the purchase of the new jet,” the statement said.

It added that the decision to purchase a new plane was made two years ago in view of the increasing costs required to maintain the older aircraft.

“The purchase of the ACJ320 for the government executive fleet of aircraft will help to reduce operational, management and maintenance costs in view of the fact that we already own an ACJ319,” the statement said.

The statement said the old jet had been used by Malaysia Airlines since 1999 before it was purchased in 2003 for the use of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Besides the ACJ319 dan ACJ320, the executive fleet includes smaller planes such as the Falcon in 1989 and Global Express in 2001.

The PMO said the statement was in reply to a comment made by Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli in Parliament that the Government purchased the jet for the use of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.