KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25- The Prime Minister has once again strongly refuted the allegations that he used private company funds for a recent official visit to five countries.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim firmly denied claims of any conflict of interest, as suggested by some parties. “I repeat, the government does not use private company funds. There is no conflict of interest. Do not get caught up in the slander of this crazy age,” he said in a Facebook post today.

The Prime Minister, who also serves as the Minister of Finance, clarified that the cost of using the government’s executive jet for the visit to four countries was RM2.5 million, which was borne by the government. He added that the remaining seats on the jet were offered to private companies with business interests in those countries, which paid RM4.5 million each.

“I did not use private company funds. The government used MAS flights to visit four countries at a cost of RM1.6 million. This was entirely funded by the government,” he emphasized.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also stated last Friday that the government managed to save nearly RM1 million in flight costs for the Prime Minister’s recent official trip with his delegation.

Anwar returned to Malaysia on November 20 after visiting Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Peru, and Brazil, starting on November 9.