PM Anwar To Use Chartered Flight For Three-nation Visit, Reducing Time And Costs

PUTRAJAYA, June 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will embark tomorrow on official visits to three major global economic hubs – Rome, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro – travelling via a chartered flight from Malaysia Airlines until July 7.

According to the Prime Minister’s senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, the use of a chartered flight was decided after careful consideration of time efficiency, cost savings, and delegation coordination, especially given the Prime Minister’s tight schedule with minimal transit time between destinations.

“This decision allows the Prime Minister’s highly-packed itinerary to proceed smoothly without the need for long transits.

“The cost of chartering the aircraft is also more economical compared to deploying a full government aircraft operation.

“Additionally, coordinating the travel of both government and business delegations together ensures timely attendance at all meetings and engagements,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Daily Briefing today.

Tunku Nashrul clarified that the Malaysian government will fully cover travel costs for official delegates, while business delegates will bear their own expenses.

“All business delegates will remain present at each of the three destinations. The Prime Minister extended the invitation to them to join the broader Malaysian mission to help lower costs for all parties and ensure smoother coordination throughout the visits.

“I would like to stress once again that there is no conflict of interest between the government and the business delegation,” he emphasised.

Among the corporate representatives joining the mission are Petronas, Khazanah, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Maybank, FGV, YTL Power, and Sunway.

Tunku Nashrul said the Prime Minister’s visit aims to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, open new markets, and create high-skilled job opportunities for Malaysians.

Anwar’s attendance at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is also expected to amplify ASEAN’s voice in global governance and reinforce the Global South agenda, he added.

-- BERNAMA