Chitchat Mad Hatter: Receiving Money In Exchange For Giving High Value Gahment Project Is Not Bribery! It's An Offset!! Fucking Dishonest Jiuhukias!

[JohnTan]

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (Feb 6) payments received to offset the costs of a high-value order could not be constituted as a bribe.

Mahathir was replying to questions by reporters on the controversial sponsorship deal that executives of Malaysia's AirAsia struck with the budget carrier's sole plane supplier Airbus.

Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said last week that the European aircraft manufacturer paid a bribe of US$50 million to executives of AirAsia and its long-haul arm AirAsia X to win plane orders.

AirAsia is the world's biggest customer of the A321neo single-aisle aircraft and runs an all-Airbus fleet of 274 planes.

AirAsia co-founders Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun have both denied wrongdoing and relinquished their executive roles for at least two months while the SFO's allegations are probed.

Asked about Britain's investigation into the case, Mahathir said he would not pronounce a verdict, but that any arrangement should be considered as a quid pro quo deal.

"Often when governments buy equipment, we always ask for an offset ... If we can get something because we buy something at a high price, why can't we accept it?" he told reporters.

"If the money we get is pocketed, that is corruption. But if that money is for a certain purpose, it would be an offset instead of a bribe. That's my view," Mahathir said.

READ: AirAsia's Tony Fernandes steps aside amid Airbus bribery probe
SFO said that Caterham F1, a now-defunct Formula 1 racing team that was formerly co-owned by Fernandes, was sponsored improperly in 2012 by Airbus' then-parent EADS.

He denied the allegations and claimed that the team was part of its branding exercise campaign.

Malaysian authorities have also said they are launching their own investigations into SFO's claims.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...obe-malaysia-mahathir-payments-bribe-12401456

 

[AhΜeng]

i agree with MadHatter

 

[Loofydralb]

"If the money we get is pocketed, that is corruption. But if that money is for a certain purpose, it would be an offset instead of a bribe. That's my view," Mahathir said.

As usual he is absolutely right.

 

[syed putra]

I think sinkies does this too. Became first airline to buy/ lease A380's in exchange for Roll Royce engine plant on the island. And some parts made locally.

And japan too wrt boeing 787 planes. Many parts are made in japan in exchange ANA and JAL became first to launch the aircraft plus ordered many planes.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

I think sinkies does this too. Became first airline to buy/ lease A380's in exchange for Roll Royce engine plant on the island. And some parts made locally.

And japan too wrt boeing 787 planes. Many parts are made in japan in exchange ANA and JAL became first to launch the aircraft plus ordered many planes.

If wat u say is true...that is just counter trade..there is a difference between that and outright bribery

 

[potato29]

I believe this is called cashback.

 

[mojito]

Can offset my tow council?