KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 7, 2013): The Oppositions have called on top government leaders to use national carrier Malaysia

Airlines (MAS) for their official travels to cut down the whopping RM182million expenditure for private jets in 2012 alone.

Criticising the government for unnecessary spending and wastage, Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban) said the government has to walk the talk by being prudent in its spending.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should use MAS for their travels.

"As it involves high cost, they can take a first class MAS flight, especially if it involves domestic destinations. It costs less compared to using executive jets.

"The government asks the people to be prudent in their spending. However, this shows the government has not reduced its spending.

"Every year, spending has increased. The government is not setting a good example to the people," Loke said.

He added that the government should reduce its spending first before reducing the subsidy on fuel.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim disclosed in a written reply to Loke that the government spent over RM182 million in total for the cost of fuel and maintenance of Executive Government Aircrafts in 2012.

Loke had asked the prime minister to state the number of government-owned aircraft, the cost of fuel and maintenance of the aircraft, as well as the number of flights and destinations last year.

"The government currently owns seven executive jets and this includes a Falcon, a Global Express, a Boeing Business Jet, a Blackhawk, two Agustas and a Fokker F28.

"The fuel cost amounts to RM14.9 million and the maintenance cost amounts to RM167 million for all the aircrafts throughout 2012," Shahidan said.

Loke also said that each flight taken in 2012 had cost RM489,330.62 in public funds and that both Najib and Muhyiddin were also utilising the aircrafts during their holidays.

"This is another example of extravagant expenses. They don't have to use these aircrafts to fly to all areas, especially within Malaysia.

"There are heads of state that travel on commercial flights. Even if the prime minister or deputy prime minister fly first class or business class I'm sure it wouldn't cost RM490,000 per ticket.

"Only the King should use the private aircraft," he said.