PM’s New jet to cost gov’t half-a-billion ringgit

The new executive jet ordered by the government, which PKR alleges is for the exclusive use of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, is costing the government RM465 million in hire-purchase costs, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli claimed today.

At a press conference in Parliament, Rafizi showed reporters the purported hire-purchase document for the new Airbus ACJ320 jet from aircraft leasing company Jet Premier One.

The documentation states the cost of the jet would be RM465.4 million over a span of 15 years.

The document – which Rafizi said is part of a larger agreement yet to be revealed by him – also says the lease rental comes to RM399 million, the entry-into-service cost is RM1 million and pre-delivery payment, RM65 million.

This means the government had paid a total deposit of US$20 million for the jet, Rafizi said.

Rafizi also revealed that the government will pay RM 2.217 million a month over 15 years to service the hire-purchase.

Meanwhile, Rafizi also asked the government not to use Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s “good name” to justify the purchase of the jet.

He challenged the PM to detail all the jets owned by the government and also details over who have been using the jets for official trips in recent times.

He was referring to an explanation by the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday that the new jet was brought for the use of the ruler.