There is no conflict of interest in my overseas trips, says PM

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government did not use private funds for the Malaysian delegation's trips to four countries.

He called on the public to not fall for slander that there may be quid pro quo demanded by the private sector.

"There is no conflict of interest," he said in a Facebook post.

Anwar said that for the four trips, the government-chartered a Malaysia Airlines flight, which cost RM1.6 million.

“The remaining seats were offered to private companies that were already planning to visit those countries for investment or joint venture purposes. These companies paid their own costs, amounting to RM4.5 million.”

Earlier, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) CEO Pushpan Murugiah said the government should have considered the possible conflict of interest between the government and private sector in this matter.

On Friday, unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the government’s delegation shared a chartered flight with the private sector representatives during the trips.

He said sharing a chartered flight was more cost-effective than if the government’s delegation had flown on Putrajaya’s Jet Premier One on their own.

Anwar had also said those who joined the delegation are private companies with the potential to invest or explore investment opportunities, such as Proton, Petronas, Yinson, Sapura Energy, and semiconductor companies. - November 25, 2024