KUALA LUMPUR – The Prime Minister’s political secretary, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, has refuted claims that Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) purchase of Boeing aircraft was linked to a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and United States President Donald Trump.
He said the acquisition followed established procedures and had no vested interests.
“The process of purchasing aircraft takes time and must be coordinated according to pricing and other factors. It was only recently that all parties agreed to it.
“In any case, our policy and approach have always been to use Boeing aircraft. So, what’s the issue? There is no question of any vested interest in this purchase, including to solicit a meeting (for the prime minister) with the United States president,” he said when met at the Iftar Perdana and presentation of Madani Aidilfitri contributions at Al-Hadhari Mosque in Padang Rengas yesterday.
He was responding to Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau’s allegation that the purchase of 30 US-made aircraft was possibly in exchange for arranging a meeting between Anwar and Trump.
On March 22, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz clarified that the acquisition was an investment aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position as a key player in the global aviation industry.
Tengku Zafrul also emphasised that the move supported the operations of Boeing Composites Malaysia, which manufactures Boeing aircraft structures in the country and employs around 1,000 local workers. – March 26, 2025