Ex-Malacca CM denies buying ‘luxury’ official cars

 

Former Malacca chief minister Adly Zahari has denied allegations that the decision to purchase luxury vehicles as official cars for top state officials was made under his watch when Pakatan Harapan was in charge of the state government.

“When I was chief minister, I inherited four vehicles from the previous (BN) administration that could be used for the chief minister’s benefit. There is no need for new vehicles,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Adly, who is from Amanah, said while the current state government can purchase whatever vehicles it sees fit, it should also be mindful of its financial capabilities and spending should give priority to the people.

He noted that state revenue is dwindling, and up to September 2020, it only managed to garner 55 percent of the projected revenue for the year.

Yesterday, China Press reported that rumours circulating online that the Malacca government has purchased luxury vehicles to replace the current fleet of Honda Accords turned out to be true.

It said new Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali’s official car has been upgraded to a Lexus ES250, while the Malacca state assembly Speaker Abdul Rauf Yusoh – both of whom are from Umno - now uses a Toyota Camry as his official car.

The apparent extravagance amid economic turmoil due to the Covid-19 pandemic has drawn criticism from netizens.

“My advice for all is to prioritise the people. If you could save, save. Use everything at your disposal to help those who have lost their jobs, lost income, fail to service their debts while bearing the burden of their children’s education,” said Adly.

“I have no interest to play up this minor issue so this slander would not drag on and serve as a reminder to youths just starting to learn to lie,” he said referring to Umno Youth.

The Kota Melaka Umno Youth had claimed the application to purchase the vehicles was made when Adly was chief minister, but approval was given only after Sulaiman had taken over following the collapse of the Harapan state government.

“It is like the new sofas for the chief minister’s official residence. Harapan elected representatives made noise, but when we checked, it was applied for during Adly’s time,” it said on Facebook without elaborating.

According to the websites of the respective carmakers, the price of a brand-new Lexus ES250 starts at RM295,663, while a Toyota Camry starts at RM188,763. Meanwhile, the price of a Honda Accord starts at RM178,203. - Mkini