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Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang  
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(Parliament, Wednesday): The claim  by the Deputy Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar in the Dewan Negara yesterday that the purchase of three paintings worth RM1.55 million by Malaysian Airlines (MAS)  to decorate the chairman’s office was necessary to enhance the image and prestige of the MAS Building is most shocking and unacceptable.

His further  explanation that  the money spent was from MAS’ current expenditure only raises eyebrows whether the Deputy Transport Minister understand what he is talking about in Parliament, for what is its relevance to the issue whether the purchase of the RM1.55 million is a gross and irresponsible extravagance -   whether the money is from current or capital expenditure?

With these revelations, Malaysians are  entitled to ask whether  the MAS management, the Transport Ministry and Khazanah Nasional have a real clue as to how to turnaround the national airline from RM648 million losses in the first six months of its current financial year into a profitable airline.

Last night MAS Chairman Datuk Dr. Munir Majid and the new managing director Idris Jala met Senators in Parliament for a briefing on MAS. At the briefing, Idris said the MAS management is prepared to consider selling the three paintings.

The more important question is whether Munir is prepared to reimburse MAS the losses in the resale of the three paintings which cost the national airline RM1.55 million.

The answer by Azlan in the Senate on the appointment of MAS senior general manager Chris Andrews at RM7,525 a day is also a shocker.

The state of MAS is a matter of grave national concern, not only over its colossal losses, but also the morale of the MAS employees of all grades.

DAP MPs and leaders will meet with the MAS Chairman Dr. Munir Majid and the new MAS CEO Idris Jala at the MAS headquarters on Friday on the many controversial issues surrounding the colossal losses and performance of MAS, particularly over the shocking answers  which the Deputy Transport Minister gave in the Senate yesterday.

(20/12/2005)