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Sunday, May 17, 2015

New VIP jet makes first working flight

Return trip to Terengganu a week after arriving via Germany and Kazakhstan
acj320_600KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government’s controversial new executive Airbus aircraft made its first working flight yesterday, a return trip from Subang to Kuala Terengganu, a week after arriving in the country.
The Airbus ACJ320, registration number 9M-NAB, had arrived at RMAF Subang last Wednesday from Malta, via Hamburg and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Government executive aircrafts are part of the executive fleet operated by RMAF’s No 2 Sdn.
Malaysiakini reported that 9M-NAB left Subang at 4.32pm, making the return journey from Kuala Terengganu at 7.10pm.
The government’s purchase of a new executive aircraft was criticised by PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli in March, when he accused the government of overpaying RM109mil for the 15-year lifetime cost of the aircraft.
Use of government VIP aircrafts have been the subject of renewed public interest since December when 9M-NAB’s predecessor, also an Airbus AC320, flew on from Hawaii to Los Angeles and Indianapolis in the United States.
Prime Minister, Najib Razak, had spent a Christmas holiday weekend with US president Barack Obama in Hawaii but cut short his trip to return home because of massive flooding in the East Coast last year. It was speculated that his wife Rosmah Mansor had been on board the aircraft when it went for refitting in Indianapolis.
Following Rafizi’s criticisms the government said 9M-NAB was bought on a lease to replace its 15-year-old Boeing 737BBJ business jet, because of the increasing cost of maintenance. The government already owns an Airbus ACJ319 executive aircraft and the Prime Minister’s Office stated that having another similar aircraft would reduce operational, management and maintenance costs.
Malaysiakini, quoting the FlightRadar24 flight tracking web site, said the Boeing is still in frequent use, with 55 flights in the past month. Its latest flight was a return trip to Alor Setar yesterday, which coincides with deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s visit to Kedah on government and party business.
The executive fleet is used by the Rulers, the prime minister and deputy, ministers with the PM’s approval. Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi are also allowed courtesy use of the aircraft.

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