KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia August 3, 2025 – Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, has dismissed claims that the recent purchase of Boeing aircraft by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) constitutes a waste of taxpayer money or is solely a concession to U.S. tariff demands.
In a detailed post on his official X account, Tengku Zafrul clarified that the acquisition is a strategic business decision funded entirely by MAG’s own resources, not public funds. “The purchase of these planes is actually a strategic business decision by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and is financed using the company’s funds, NOT the PEOPLE’S tax money!” he stated.
The minister highlighted that the procurement plan was announced as early as March 2025, well before former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled new tariffs. To support his point, he shared screenshots of a Malaysia Gazette article from March 21, 2025, headlined “Malaysia Aviation Group Orders 30 Boeing Aircraft, Option to Add 30 More.” The images depict a ceremonial event where a model aircraft was presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Addressing the link to ongoing trade talks, Tengku Zafrul explained that U.S. tariffs stem partly from trade deficits, where Malaysia exports more to the U.S. than it imports. By listing major planned purchases from U.S. companies, including the Boeing order, Malaysia demonstrated its role as a significant buyer of American products. This approach helped negotiate a reduction in tariffs on Malaysian exports from 25% to 19%.
“We took this opportunity by listing all the major purchases planned by Malaysian companies from the U.S., including this Boeing aircraft order. It’s not that we bought just to reduce tariffs!” the minister emphasized. He described the strategy as a result of meticulous negotiations that safeguard both corporate and national interests.
The post, shared on August 2, 2025, with the caption starting “Beli pesawat Boeing ni membazir duit cukai rakyat?” (translating to “Is buying this Boeing plane wasting taxpayer money?”), has received significant engagement, including over 15,000 views, 334 likes, and 155 reposts. Replies from users ranged from questions about alternatives like Airbus to praise for the minister’s clear response to misinformation.
This clarification comes amid broader U.S.-Malaysia trade discussions, where balancing imports and exports is key to mitigating tariffs. MAG’s fleet expansion aligns with Malaysia’s aviation sector growth, supporting economic recovery and global connectivity under the MADANI framework.
For further details, refer to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry’s updates or Tengku Zafrul’s official channels.