Wednesday, September 26, 2012

'Illegal to lease United States-registered plane here'

KUALA LUMPUR: The mystery surrounding the ownership and funding of a private jet used by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other opposition leaders has taken another twist.

A source with the country's aviation authorities said the United States-registered plane could not have been legally chartered by the company which arranged the flight carrying Anwar and his entourage.

"It's illegal to lease an American registered aircraft in Malaysia. Only the owner can use it here," he said.

It was reported yesterday that local aircraft charter company, Tjets Sdn Bhd, had arranged for the lease of the aircraft to ferry the opposition leaders from here to Labuan for the opposition's Malaysia Day celebrations.

A local operator of chartered aircraft concurred to the fact that the United States-registered aircraft could not have been leased under the country's aviation laws.

"It is possible that the foreign owner of the aircraft had allowed the opposition leaders to use the aircraft in a deal only known to them."

PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali yesterday said Tian Chua needed to check his facts before making statements.

Tian Chua had reportedly said the jet was chartered at a "quite cheap" rate, whereas Anwar had mentioned a mysterious friend as the source of sponsor for the jet.

"Tian Chua should stick to the right information, which is that made by Anwar."


http://www.nst.com.my

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com

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