DPM's use of Nuri copters not abuse of power

2009/11/23

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is eligible to use the Nuri helicopters belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) according to the aircraft's utilisation guidelines, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz. He said the guidelines on the use of the helicopters were based on the Confidential General Circular No. 1 1987 Regulations on the Use of Government Executive Jets and RMAF Aircraft which stated that government executive jets were for the use of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

"Among the considerations for approval are that there is(sic) no MAS flights serving the route and that the destinations are remote areas which require helicopters to reach these locations quickly," said Nazri in his written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) in Parliament today.

Lim had asked the Prime Minister to state the guidelines on the use of aircraft by ministers for personal or political party purposes.

He claimed there was an abuse of power by Muhyiddin for using the Nuri helicopter to attend an Umno programme during the emergency landing in Tuaran, Sabah due to bad weather in August. - BERNAMA