The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) clarified late today that the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ320) executive aircraft was purchased to replace the 16-year-old Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).

The PMO said in a statement the government made the decision to acquire the ACJ320 through a hire-purchase contract for a period of 15 years to replace the BBJ aircraft, which would be disposed to finance the ACJ320 purchase.

The statement was issued by the PMO in response to charges that the aircraft was purchased for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's use, made by PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli at the Parliament lobby today.

According to the PMO, the BBJ aircraft had been utilised by MAS since 1999, before the government obtained the aircraft in 2003 for the use by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"Talks to replace the BBJ were initiated two years ago in view of the increasing cost of aircraft maintenance due to age and safety risk factors.

"The acquisition of the new aircraft can reduce operational, management and maintenance costs as the government already has a ACJ319 in the fleet," to the statement said.
   
According to the PMO, in addition to the ACJ319 and ACJ320, the government executive aircraft fleet includes smaller planes, the Falcon acquired in 1989 and the Global Express in 2001.

- Bernama