The JPM said Mahathir had been provided with staff services for his office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation’s office and his residence at The Mines Resort City, Selangor, in accordance with the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980 (Act 237).

A total of 21 postings have been allocated to Mahathir with the expenditure borne by the government, including the payments of salaries, claim allowances and other perks for which the staff qualified as civil servants, said JPM in response to the alleged withdrawal of Mahathir’s personal bodyguard service which went viral on social media recently.

The JPM said until today, the government had also been paying all the utility bills at the Perdana Leadership Foundation and at Mahathir’s residence.

Also borne by the government were the meal and lodging allowances for the former prime minister’s escorts, bodyguards, medical officer and aide-de-camp, who accompanied him during overseas trips.

“Therefore, the government would like to stress again that no privileges and services have been withdrawn and that equal treatment has been given to all former prime ministers,” the JPM said.

Meanwhile, Mahathir, when met after the dialogue titled “The Nature of Leadership in Our Digital Future” at the foundation today, admitted to still being able to enjoy the services provided by the government to former prime ministers.

However, he said it was not true that nothing was withdrawn and that he could list the items that were.