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©New
Straits Times (Used by permission)
by Hamidah Atan and Deborah Loh
PUTRAJAYA: The cabinet yesterday expressed dismay over the Terengganu
government's decision to purchase 14 new Mercedes Benz cars to replace the
Proton Perdana.
A minister, who did not want to be named, said the matter was
discussed at the meeting and some cabinet members had described the move as
going against the national policy.
"The cabinet did not agree with the state government. But what could it do?"
The minister added that the circular on the official use of national cars by
government departments and leaders was still in force.
"Leadership is by example and so, as leaders, we should adhere to the circular.
"If we ourselves do not support our national cars, then who
else will?"
The minister added that the cabinet could not accept the menteri besar's
explanation that the maintenance cost was high since the Perdana cars were used
four years ago.
"As long as the circular on the use of national cars is still in force, we
should follow suit. There should not be any excuses."
The minister also dismissed Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said's
statement that cabinet ministers also used Mercedes Benz cars.
"I am sure, if it is true, those would be their private cars and not the
official car.
"Cabinet ministers have been using the Perdana for official functions.
"Even the prime minister and deputy prime minister use Perdana for official
functions.
"I myself have one Mercedes Benz, but it is an old one and is for private use."
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the
Terengganu executive council could have misinterpreted instructions from the
Treasury on the purchase of completely knocked-down (CKD) cars.
While the Treasury does allow such purchases (without specifying the make of the
CKD cars) for use by ministries and agencies, it also expressly states that
members of the government administration are to use national cars.
Shahrir said "members of the government administration" included cabinet members
and state executive councillors.
"Perhaps they misinterpreted the part about buying CKD cars and did not read the
part concerning members of the government administration," he said, confirming
that the cabinet had discussed the matter at its weekly meeting yesterday.
He said if the Terengganu exco were unhappy with mechanical problems in the
Proton Perdana V6 Executive, they should inform Proton and give the company a
chance to rectify the problems.
MB justifies buying those Mercs
by Regina Lee
KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said hit back at critics who
rebuked him for purchasing 14 Mercedes Benzes to be used as state official cars.
"You can go to some of the cabinet ministers' houses. I am sure you will see
Mercedes Benz cars in their garages."
Defiantly, he said all the menteris besar in other states knew that the official
Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars were faulty, but did not want to admit it.
"I am not a hypocrite, I am telling the truth. I am being transparent here.
Proton should see this in a positive light and improve itself.
"I have to think of how to save the rakyat's money. Ask any engineer around and
they will tell you that the Mercedes E200 Kompressors are more economical in the
long run," he said before chairing the weekly state exco meeting at a five-star
hotel here yesterday.
Ahmad sparked an outcry last week with the revelation of the state's RM3.43
million expenditure on the Mercedes as a "cost-cutting measure".
He later said that the gearbox and fuel consumption of the Perdana were the main
cost culprits, and that the cars would be given away to other government
departments.
Yesterday, he also said that the state government had spent RM1.15 million to
maintain its fleet of 16 Perdana since they were purchased in 2004.
Former menteri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh himself had spent nearly RM131,600
in maintaining his Perdana this year, in the two months that he was head of the
state government.
Ahmad said the cost of maintenance for the Perdana here was low because "all the
officials in Kuala Lumpur do is use it to get to the airport".
"Politicians in the city can use the helicopter. I still have to drive, even to
get from Kuala Terengganu to Kemaman."
He also questioned the need for an electronic media organisation to call for an
SMS poll for viewers' reaction regarding the issue.
He added that he personally had not changed his official car, an 18-year-old
Mercedes Benz, saying that it was still in good condition.
"Kalau bini masih cantik, buat apa tukar?" (If the wife is still
beautiful, why change?)
Proton: No warranty claims received
SHAH ALAM: Proton has not received any warranty claims from the Terengganu
government on its Perdana V6 Executive cars.
"Proton is seriously looking into this matter. We will be
contacting the state government to find out the details of the service history
records of the affected cars, in order for Proton to provide necessary
assistance on this matter," it said in a statement.
The national car maker also insisted that, based on its records, the maintenance
cost and efficiency of the model is moderate and reasonable.
While the cost of replacing the gearbox may be costly, Proton said such an
occurrence can be avoided by sending the vehicle for regular and scheduled
services at authorised service centres, and also using original parts.
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