PUTRAJAYA - Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will use a chartered Malaysia Airlines aircraft for his three-country African visit starting tomorrow to save time and costs, the Prime Minister’s senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said.
Tunku Nashrul said the decision was made because the official delegation and business entourage joining the mission have a tight schedule during the official visits to Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as the working visit to South Africa from Nov 18 to 24, with no transit time.
He explained that using a chartered aircraft also allows for greater capacity to accommodate additional delegates on the visits to all three countries.
"If we were to use the government executive flight, the journey would take 13 hours, and the aircraft’s capacity is limited.
"With a chartered aircraft, travel time can be reduced and costs are also controlled. The cost of chartering the aircraft is also more economical compared with operating a full government aircraft,” he said during a media briefing at the Prime Minister’s Office here today. - BERNAMA