The procurement of Boeing jets and the investment by Employees' Provident Fund's (EPF) in the United States equity has nothing to do with "strengthening" the US economy, treasurer-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said.

"The allegation and idea that certain quarters claimed otherwise that we want to help the US economy is baseless," Irwan told the reporter when met at the Finance Ministry today.

He said EPF's job was to investment and generate returns to depositors and equity investments were the fund's business.

As for Malaysia Airlines, Irwan said the airline had to buy new planes to expand its business.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak told US President Donald Trump at the White House that Malaysia had several propositions to the US.

"Number one, we want to help you in terms of strengthening the US economy," said Najib.

"Secondly, we have Employees Provident Fund, which is a major pension fund in Malaysia. They’ve got quite a big sum of capital to be exported. They have invested close to US$7 billion, in terms of equity, in the United States. And they intend to invest three to four additional billion dollars to support your infrastructure redevelopment in the United States."

Won't involve public funds

Najib also told Trump that MAS would procure 25 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets and eight 787 Dreamliners.

Najib's speech at the White House was severely condemned by critics back home, who accused him of having misplaced priorities by pledging to bring funds abroad at a time when Putrajaya was undertaking austerity measures.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also mocked Najib for suggesting that Malaysia – a Third World country – was capable of helping the US economy.

Meanwhile, Irwan dismissed suggestions that public funds would be used to help MAS procure the Boeing jets.

"No public funds will be used," said Irwan.

MAS is fully owned by sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd.