KUALA LUMPUR, November 29 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified in Parliament today that the RM1.6 billion contract to lease 28 Leonardo helicopters for 15 years was negotiated transparently and backed by the Italian government. Rejecting claims of impropriety, Anwar stated the deal resulted from a government-to-government arrangement, supported by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who assured cooperation during the G20 summit in Brazil.
The lease-to-own agreement involves helicopters for Malaysia’s air force, maritime enforcement, navy, police, and fire services, with an option to purchase for RM1. The contract also includes provisions for training, maintenance, and local parts manufacturing, ensuring cost-efficiency and technology transfer. Anwar emphasized that leasing prevents excessive financial strain, aligning with the government’s push for sustainable asset management.
This deal follows a similar leasing strategy by the Ministry of Transport in August, which secured 62 train sets through a RM10 billion agreement with China. “Leasing offers better financial control and reduces long-term maintenance burdens, making it a strategic approach to acquiring critical assets,” Anwar said.
