KUCHING, June 13 — Ministers and government officers still need to fly in helicopters in Sarawak to reach their destinations fast because of its vast territory and difficult terrain.
State Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said as such there was a need to enter into air charter service to ensure easier connectivity.
He told the state legislative assembly here today the “agreement and charges” were centralised in the Chief Minister’s Department for central contract and management.
“But the service is utilised by all members of the administration as well as government departments,” he said when replying to Chong Cheng Jen (Kota Sentosa-DAP), who wanted to know the safety aspect of travelling in helicopters as well as the cost involved.
On the safety aspect, he said the Department of Civil Aviation had set very stringent flying condition requirements.
“All including helicopter pilots must do their best to adhere to them but accidents do happen and there is nothing much we can do,” he said.
Later at a media conference, Wong said the RM28.6 million additional expenditure incurred by the Chief Minister’s Department last year was not confined to pay helicopter rentals alone.
It was to meet other general office administration costs such as utility charges, hospitality and entertainment as well as medical expenses.
On another issue, he said the sum of RM5.5 million spent on major
celebrations by the state government last year did not include the cost to hold any Sejiwa Senada gatherings as alleged by Chong.
Chong had also said the Sejiwa Senada gatherings were only meant to help the Barisan Nasional government to win the state election. — Bernama
