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Annuar Musa: As PM’s wife, Rosmah’s right to hire jet

K KANGSAR POLLS No one should question Rosmah Mansor’s right to hire a private jet as it is her right and duty as the prime minister’s wife, said an Umno leader.

“Don’t (expect) the wife of the prime minister to travel on a normal flight schedule, I don’t think there is a leader in the world who does this.

“So, let’s not deny the right of a prime minister’s wife or prime minister by saying or trying to give the impression that (the flight) had been hired for private use,” Umno information chief Annuar Musa told Malaysiakini after breaking his fast in Manong, Kuala Kangsar yesterday.

He was asked to comment on PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli’s continued expose on Rosmah's use of a private jet for a trip to Istanbul.

Rafizi last Wednesday revealed that Rosmah flew in the hired aircraft to Turkey to accept the 3G Children Welfare Award on behalf of early childhood programme Permata.

The PKR leader alleged the plane had been chartered for two months, and estimated it would have cost the government RM86.4 million.

Annuar, who is an Umno supreme council member, said there was no abuse of power in the case of the jet trip.

“There is a difference between private business and the duties of the wife of a prime minister, and the duties of the prime minister’s wife must be respected.

“It must be given right and status, along with what she is eligible for.

“Therefore the question of wrongdoing doesn’t arise at all,” he said.

'Don't go overboard'

He called Rafizi’s claims “baseless” and done in bad taste, especially in the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims were fasting.

“I believe we should exercise some restraint. Although we want to play politics, let’s do it with care and base it on certain values in accordance with good Muslims,” he said.

“That jet can be rented out to anyone, and anyone can hire it, that’s all."

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