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Published: Friday May 10, 2013 MYT 4:37:00 PM
Updated: Friday May 10, 2013 MYT 6:48:20 PM

GE13: MAS denies transporting phantom voters

By RAHIMY RAHIM


Ahmad Jauhari Yahya Ahmad Jauhari Yahya

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has rubbished allegations that it had transported phantom voters from Sabah and Sarawak on its aircraft to peninsular Malaysia during the 13th general election.

Its group chief executive officer (CEO) Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said that MAS had always been an airline with integrity and as such would not tolerate baseless allegations against the company.

"MAS operated commercial chartered flights to bring voters home to their constituencies, so they could exercise their right to vote.

"These flights were from Kuala Lumpur to four destinations namely to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kuching, Sibu as well as voters from Sabah and Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur," he told a press conference at its academy in Kelana Jaya, here, on Friday.

He was responding to allegations made by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who alleged that there was an increase in the number of chartered flights, including using Boeing 747 and an army aircraft, from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to the airports in the peninsular.

At the press conference, Anwar also presented a copy of an email containing flight schedules and names of the alleged phantom voters, accused the EC of cooperating with government agencies and the national carrier in the operation.

MAS, Ahmad Jauhari said, in total had transported 6,553 passengers in 57 chartered flights between the period of May 2 and 4 May as well as May 6 until 8.

"All were Malaysian citizens who presented their identity cards upon check-in," he said.

He also noted that the GE13 promotional campaign, which began from April 17 to April 28, had an overwhelming response, with 34,000 seats taken after two weeks of its announcement.

"MAS has played its role as a responsible corporate player by introducing special fares for all Malaysian voters who wanted to return home to vote.

"In fact, we had waived all penalties for revised travel plans for all our passengers during the period of the general election," he said.

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