Annuar questions BN's costly helicopter travels in Nenggiri

• UPDATED 7.40PM | Added Zahid’s response.

NENGGIRI BY-ELECTION | Perikatan Nasional by-election operations director Annuar Musa today questioned Umno leaders’ alleged use of helicopters to travel and campaign in the state seat in rural Kelantan.

Stressing that he was not making accusations, Annuar said he would leave it up to the people to judge BN’s campaign, including chartering helicopters which he claimed would cost hundreds of thousands of ringgit.

“Some people say the helicopter is sponsored. But if the sponsor has an interest and I understand there is an interest in a ministry, then this may cause another problem,” he said.

Annuar went on to state that the PN campaign does not offer such a service.

“So, my comment is that we don’t want to take any responsibility for Umno’s campaign.

“If you want to come by train, plane or supersonic, that is your business. It is up to the people,” he said at a press conference at the PN information centre in Gua Musang today.

Against regulations

Yesterday, Annuar in a Facebook post highlighted the alleged use of helicopters by Umno leaders to travel for ongoing campaigns in Nenggiri.

Annuar claimed he was informed that the cost of renting such a helicopter could exceed RM300,000.

“Helicopter services are not included in PN’s offer. However, in an election, there are election laws including the amount that can be used to campaign.

“If you use a helicopter, which I checked yesterday the cost for a modern five-seater is RM350,000, that is more than the campaigning limit and it is wrong in terms of the regulations,” said the former Umno minister.

Annuar added that even if the helicopter was a government asset used to transport a deputy prime minister, it would still be considered an abuse.

“Because parties can’t campaign using government equipment and assets," he said.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president, went on the Nenggiri campaign trail for BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, who is up against PN’s Mohd Rizwadi Ismail.

‘Govt didn’t pay for copter’

Meanwhile, Zahid in an immediate response said the cost to hire the helicopter was not paid for by the government.

Zahid, who did not disclose the actual costs involved, said any party can opt to use a helicopter service so long as it does not involve government assets or funds.

"That is not a government helicopter, not paid for by any ministry, and if he (Annuar) wanted to use one, I have no reservations.

"(He) can use LV, can use a helicopter,” Zahid told reporters at Kampung Limau Kasturi, Gua Musang.

Previously, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi in a swipe at Annuar targeted the former minister for his clothes from the Italian luxury brand, worn while distributing food donations to the Orang Asli community.

Annuar, however, retorted, “it’s up to me, it’s my money”.

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