AGHAST at how Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s fan base having greeted his return at 2.05am today (July 9) from a week-long three-nation official tour, a former journalist has taken to the Facebook (FB) to enlighten the so-called Madani backers and/or cybertroopers “not to get overly excited”.
“No need to get crazily impressed that PMX landed at KLIA at 2.05am and having to attend ASEAN meeting at KLCC this morning,” penned ex-New Straits Times (NST) journo Hanizah Hashim on her Facebook page.
“He’s surrounded by drivers, chefs, aides who’re ever ready to serve him, He practically only has to carry his body around.”
For context, the hardworking PMX had earlier aired his safe return along with his entourage in a FB post that has at the time of writing garnered 9.6K likes, 2.3K comments and 192 shares.
“Had a chance to rest and spend some time with family before heading down to KLCC this morning for the opening session of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting which is an important arena for strengthening regional solidarity and coordinating a common stance in facing global challenges,” he had penned.
Alluding to the very fact that first class passengers are privy to flatbeds for a restful night’s sleep, a commuter to Hanizah’s FB post cheekily remarked that “obviously PMX deserves a salute if he were to fly economy class, get off at the airport and go straight to the ASEAN meeting”.
This prompted the poster to inject some sarcasm of “alighting from the plane and take KLIA Express or LRT to KLCC”.
For the record, the privilege accorded to PMX and his entourage on his latest globe-trotting mission may even transcend “first class” given he flew on a chartered flight from Malaysia Airlines.
According to the PM’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, the use of a chartered flight was decided after careful consideration of time efficiency, cost savings and delegation coordination, especially given PMX’s tight schedule with minimal transit time between destinations.
However, Malaysian taxpayers can be rest assured that the Madani government only fully covered travel costs for official delegates whereas business delegates who tagged along would have to bear their own expenses.
“All business delegates will remain present at each of the three destinations. The PM extended the invitation to them to join the broader Malaysian mission to help lower costs for all parties and ensure smoother coordination throughout the visits,” justified Tunku Nashrul.
““I would like to stress once again that there is no conflict of interest between the government and the business delegation.”
Among the corporate representatives joining the mission were PETRONAS, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Maybank, FGV Holdings Bhd, YTL Power International Bhd and Sunway Bhd. – July 9, 2025
Main image credit: Anwar Ibrahin/Facebook
