The Prime Minister's Department (JPM) clarified that the executive aircraft, Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ320) was purchased to replace the 16-year-old Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).

JPM in a statement here said, the government made the decision to acquire the ACJ320 through a hire-purchase contract for a period of 15 years to replace the BBJ aircraft, which would be disposed off to finance the ACJ320 purchase.

The statement was issued by JPM in response to charges that the aircraft was purchased for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's use, made by Parti Keadilan Rakyat secretary-general, Rafizi Ramli in Parliament on Monday.

READ: Quickly dispel private jet purchase allegation, Khairy tells government

According to JPM, the BBJ aircraft had been utilised by MAS since 1999 before the government obtained the aircraft in 2003 for the use by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"Talks to replace the BBJ were initiated two years ago in view of the increasing cost of aircraft maintenance due to age and safety risk factors.

"The acquisition of the aircraft can reduce operational, management and maintenance costs as the government already has a ACJ319 in the fleet," the statement said.

In addition to the ACJ319 and ACJ320, the government executive aircraft fleet included smaller planes namely the Falcon acquired in 1989 and the Global Express in 2001, said JPM.