THE cost of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s trip to the United States in September was within the allocation set out under the Members of Parliament Act (allowances) 1980 (Act 237), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman.

She, however, did not reveal the total spent on the September 16 trip.

“The expenditure covered the flight cost, transportation, food allowance, phones and others.

“The expenses for the prime minister and his entourage were within the amount set,” she said in a written reply to Seremban MP Anthony Loke.

Loke had sought details on the cost of the hotel rooms at the Trump International Hotel in Washington racked up by Najib’s entourage during the official visit to the US last month.

Loke, who was not happy with the reply, said said the Pengerang MP failed to understand and did not want to answer the question.

“Why is the government hiding the cost? Are they too high? Maybe they cannot be justified? Were the expenses for the lodging too luxurious?” asked Loke in a press conference at Parliament today.

Loke said the cost for a suite named Franklin was more than US$5,000( RM21,167) a night.

“The suite was not the most expensive. For the Presidential Suite and Trump Townhouse, bookings have to be done directly with the hotel. The rates were not mentioned in their website

“Besides the cost factor, questions were raised as to why the prime minister and his entourage choose (to stay) at Trump International Hotel.

“Was Najib trying to be in Trump’s good book? There was a conflict of interest as American law bars its president from having personal benefit with foreign leaders.”

He also questioned why Najib was not given the same treatment as Singapore prime minister Lee Hsein Loong who is in Washington D.C.

Loke said Lee is staying at Blair House, which is the official guest house for will all costs borne by the state.

“Trump also held a joined press conference with Lee at the Rose Garden.

“Why did the US treated Singapore’s prime minister better than Malaysia’s? 

“Does this have anything to do with kleptrocracy issue and Malaysian Official 1 who is being investigated by the US Justice Department?” asked Loke.

During his visit, Najib announced that MAS would spend US$10 billion (RM42 billion) on new Boeing aircraft.

He was heavily criticised for the purchase by social media users who feel that money could be used to boost Malaysia’s economy and not for planes.

Najib explained later after his return from US, it was Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s decision to buy Boeing aircraft.

The decision was made in July he said, in response to criticism that MAS was buying American aircraft to curry favour with the United States.

The prime minister said Malaysian Airlines was expanding its fleet of aircraft to  improve its services.

He said the national carrier’s current problems were due to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to privatised it

“We have to rehabilitate Malaysian Airlines now. Who privatised it?

“The government had to buy it back at three times the market price. Who made those decisions? We have to save the airlines now,” said Najib.

– October 25, 2017.