RM1.5mil paintings hot topic

Bernama news agency, Kuala Lumpur
21 December 2005

RM1.5mil paintings hot topic

The purchase of three paintings worth RM1.55mil by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to decorate the chairman's office was to maintain the stature of the place, the Dewan Negara heard yesterday.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar said the money came under MAS' current expenditure. The paintings were a hot topic among members of the Dewan Negara yesterday, besides the hiring of expatriates on high salaries.

Tengku Azlan also clarified that the salary received by MAS senior general manager Chris Andrews of RM7,525 a day was normal, no different from the pay received by any individual who had held the post in the airline.

“If there are any unsatisfactory answers, please come for a briefing on MAS tonight (yesterday),” he told the senators during his winding up of the debate on the 2006 Budget. Tengku Azlan also said that the appointment of British Airways senior executive Peter Reads as MAS operations director was announced by managing director Idris Jala.

He said the newly appointed managing director would need time and full authority to revive the airline's operations.“All the problems that have occurred will be studied by the new managing director. That is why he needs time to fix the mistakes that were made in the past,” he said.Tengku Azlan also stated that as an airline that offered international flight services, MAS did not plan to stop serving alcoholic beverages.However, he said, alcohol was only served upon the request of the passengers..

Later, when asked by reporters about MAS' current expenditure to upkeep the “status” of its premises, Tengku Azlan said: “That you would have to ask the MAS management.” – Bernama