BMW not a new official car, says PM’s dept

 The Prime Minister's Department says the car was assigned for temporary use on police advice while the official one undergoes maintenance.

The Prime Minister’s Department said the BMW car is equipped with security specifications designed to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats and explosions.

PETALING JAYA:

A BMW car used recently by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is not a new official vehicle, but an existing government asset being used temporarily while his official car undergoes maintenance, says the Prime Minister’s Department.

In a statement on Facebook, the department said the vehicle belongs to the Protocol and International Conference Secretariat Division.

It said the vehicle is used for official national purposes, including transporting visiting heads of state and government, in line with international protocol and security requirements.

“For this purpose, the vehicle is required to meet high-security specifications designed to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats, explosions, and modern security risks, including drone threats.

“The vehicle was selected for temporary use by the prime minister based on the advice and security assessment of the police after the official vehicle, which had been bestowed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, underwent maintenance,” it said.

The clarification follows social media claims about the BMW after the vehicle was spotted at the launch of Teksi Madani on July 3. - FMT