SUCH was the pot shot levelled at Datuk Seri Najib Razak after the incarcerated former premier insinuated that he was fine having Proton Perdana as his official car in stark contrast to his current counterpart Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s “POTUS’ Beast-matching bullet-proof BMW 7 Series Protection”.
Aside from having been convicted for plundering the nation’s wealth as evident from the 1MDB scandal, Johor DAP vice-chairman Sheikh Omar Bagharib Ali pointed to the gargantuan RM1.69 bil in income tax arrears owed by Bossku to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB),
For the record, PMX had come under fire from detractors after news leaked that his current official car is an allegedly estimated RM7 mil bullet-proof BMW 7 Series Protection with 530 PS 4.4L twin-turbo V8”.
“A July 2024 report in NST (New Straits Times) stated that this amount includes additional tax assessments and penalties for several years of assessment,” recounted the recently-appointed Dewan Negara member.
“A little flashback. In 2023, the Federal Court upheld the decision that Najib must pay the amount. Bankruptcy proceedings related to these arrears are still going through the court process.”
Sheikh Omar who is a DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) member further updated that Bossku had through his attorney Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah disputed the tax assessment on grounds that that a large part of the amount came from political donations.
“So according to him, it should be tax exempt,” contended the former Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board chairman.
“This issue is still part of the court proceedings. So, we’re okay with it if DS Najib wants to use a Proton, a Merc or a Perodua. But pay the taxes first for the country’s sake.”
As Bossku’s fanbase rejoiced with his humility of having faith in the national car, brickbats were hurled at Sheikh Omar for his role as “a lapdog to ensure PH’s (Pakatan Harapan) victory” in this weekend’s (July 11) Johor state election.
Others were jubilant with Bossku’s unfaltering influence so much so that “PH is so afraid of his shadow even though he’s currently behind bars”.
One purportedly opposition-slant commenter asked his brethren if they want to be led by PH which is obviously om a witch hunt to unearth Bossku’s purported wrongdoings.
Another chided Sheikh Omar for diverting the topic from cars to taxes while another wondered why the former Paloh state assemblyman (2018-2022) never questioned the wastage incurred by acquiring the BMW Protection.
Editor’s Note: The Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) and the International Ceremonial and Secretariat Division (BIUPA) has clarified that the vehicle is an existing asset owned by BIUPA and is not PMX’s new official vehicle.
“The vehicle in question is provided to meet the country’s official needs, particularly for the use of heads of state and heads of government with the rank of president or PM during official visits to Malaysia in line with international protocol and security requirements,” they pointed out in a statement.
“For that purpose, this vehicle must meet security specifications designed to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats, explosions as well as modern security risks including drone threats.”
Even then, detractors are seemingly unconvinced with JPM’s explanation that the car does not belong to PMX or that it is temporarily loaned to PMX “on the advice and security assessment of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) as PMX’s official vehicle gifted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is under-going maintenance”.
Former NST journalist-turned-Madani critic Hanizah Hashim has even likened the BMW Protection to the US president Donald Trump’s Beast, “hence does PMX want to be as great as POTUS (President of the Unted States)?”
In a series of jibes, she also wondered if Malaysia so unsafe for PMX till he needs a bullet-proof vehicle or which world leaders will be using the purported RM7 mil car given both Trump and his China counterpart Xi Jinping already have their respective armoured vehicles.
“Who approved the purchase of the RM7 mil bullet-proof BMW 7 series? PMX = Finance Minister?” she further mocked in a recent social media post on the BMW Protection. – July 8, 2026
- Focus Malaysia
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