A TOTAL of US$126 million is the best prize for the super yacht Equanimity, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said, adding that Putrajaya would have liked to have sold it for more but has accepted that Genting Malaysia Bhd’s bid was the best.

“We are in support of it because for the last eight months, the government has been paying more than RM14.2 million (to maintain it). That is a very large sum. 

“If we can sell it quickly (and) get the best price possible, at least we don’t have to bear this sum. It’s almost RM2 million a month. So, its very taxing,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas had earlier today announced the government’s acceptance of Genting’s offer to buy Equanimity for US$126 million (RM529 million).

The price falls short of the US$130 million market price evaluation for which Putrajaya had hoped to sell it for.

The original price of the yacht is said to be US$250 million, paid by wanted businessman Low Taek Jho, who has been charged in Malaysia and in the US over funds allegedly stolen from 1Malaysia Development Bhd. The yacht has an interior clad in marble and gold leaf, a spa and sauna, a 20m pool, a theatre and helipad.

On whether the government was “happy” with the price, Lim said, “you can never be happy”.

“This is the best price. You always want more; its natural. But if this is best price we can have, based on an open tender, I think we have to accept that this is the best price we are going to get.” – April 3, 2019.