I turned down a new S600 official car, says Anwar

 

Anwar Ibrahim waving to the media last week before he was appointed prime minister. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said tonight that he had turned down the use of a newly-bought Mercedes-Benz S600 limousine as his official car.

He said the car had been bought by the Prime Minister’s Department before he began work as prime minister (on Friday).

“I did not want any new public expenditure to be spent on me,” he said in a Facebook posting tonight. “Instead, I will use whatever vehicles are available for daily official use.”

His comments amplified his remarks on Saturday night after thanksgiving prayers at a Sungai Long mosque.

He said no new official car would be bought for his use and no renovations carried out at his office, as part of a new culture against wastage of public funds that must be practised by all.

The consumer retail price of a Mercedes-Benz S600 limousine is between RM700,000 and RM1.9 million.

“Think of what you can save – RM100, RM1000, RM10,000 – which can be returned to the poor. I started with a commitment not to take a salary, but what’s important is not to waste what funds we have,” he said.

“This is a message to all department leaders to remember that in the current situation we should start a new culture. Don’t use government money for our own facilities,” said Anwar.

After being appointed prime minister on Thursday, Anwar had said his first priority was to tackle inflation and the rising cost of living.

An inconclusive general election on Nov 19 left no single party or coalition with a majority of seats in the Dewan Rakyat. Anwar, who is chairman of Pakatan Harapan, is forming a unity government with the support of Barisan Nasional and MPs from East Malaysia. Perikatan Nasional, comprising Bersatu, PAS and allies, will form the opposition. - FMT