By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 21: The Sarawak Government has decided to lease a private jet from Cempaka Helicopter Corporation Sdn Bhd due to its affiliation with Aircraft Inspection, Repair & Overhaul Depot Sdn Bhd (AIROD) which promises safety and security for its passengers.
This is the answer provided by Second Minister for Finance and New Economy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, in response to Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s queries on the leasing of a private jet, used by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
“On the issue raised on private jet leasing, let me clarify why Hornbill Skyways chose Cempaka Helicopter Corporation Sdn Bhd (Cempaka) as the lessor of the Falcon 8X.
“Cempaka is an associated company of AIROD, which has extensive experience in aircraft maintenance, repair, and vverhaul (MRO), airport handling and hangar services,” said Uggah who is also Deputy Premier when delivering the ministerial winding-up speech during Sarawak Legislature held at Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex here today.
Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman (GPS-PBB) stressed that AIROD has the experience in handling and supporting VVIP aircrafts, including those operated for the Federal Government, and provides aviation support services to major airlines and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
He said it is against this background that Hornbill Skyways selected Cempaka as the lessor for Falcon 8X, the private jet used by Abang Johari.
The appointment of Cempaka, Uggah said, was also made in accordance with Hornbill Skyways’ established procurement, governance and due diligence processes.
On Oct 14, Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen (PKR-DAP) had questioned the procurement process of the private jet leasing, alleging a potential conflict of interest, the absence of an open tender and an unusually rushed transaction.
Chong who is also Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman insisted that the matter should be scrutinised by elected representatives, saying the Assembly was the appropriate platform to seek answers from the government.
Citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report on aircraft procurement options, Chong claimed that a pre-owned aircraft manufactured in 2016 had a market value of about US$14 million at the time.
He alleged that the company involved had been overcharged, with the cost ultimately borne by the Sarawak government through the lease arrangement.
“For the comfort and luxury of the Premier, Sarawak paid at least RM300 million on the lease of the plane. Furthermore, the whole transaction was shrouded in suspicion,” he alleged.
He questioned why the procurement had been expedited, including why payment was made within days and the agreement signed within weeks. –DayakDaily
