Anwar: BMW was old government asset, not personal purchase

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday dismissed claims that he purchased a luxury BMW vehicle for his personal use.

“People are claiming that Anwar talks about helping the poor but has bought a new BMW. I did not buy it. It is an old vehicle. Why spread lies?” he said.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson was speaking during the “Yok! Meriahkan Johor! Undi Harapan” programme in Senggarang, held in conjunction with campaigning for the 16th Johor state election.

Anwar also clarified that the Mercedes-Benz vehicle he currently uses was a gift from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and had been registered under the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) rather than under his personal ownership.

“The vehicle I am using now was bestowed by the King. I did not take ownership of it personally. I registered it under the PMD. I am not like others who siphon off and steal the people’s money,” he said.

The denial followed claims circulating on social media regarding the ownership of the BMW vehicle previously used by the prime minister.

The PMD and the Ceremonial and International Conference Secretariat Division said in a statement on Monday that the BMW used by the prime minister recently was an existing government asset and not a newly acquired official vehicle.

They said the vehicle was an asset under the division’s management and designated for official government logistics.

Also present at the event were Harapan communications director Fahmi Fadzil, who is also communications minister, and the coalition’s candidates for the state election in the Senggarang, Semerah, and Penggaram seats, Onn Abu Bakar, Khuzzan Abu Bakar, and Felicia Poh Rui Ling, respectively.

Polling takes place tomorrow, with Harapan contesting all 56 state seats.

- Bernama