The Kelantan government has confirmed that it bought a Mercedes- Benz for use by Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob, saying it is to replace the official car used since the administration of Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who was MB from 1990 to 2013.
Following a report which went viral on social media, the Kelantan Menteri Besar’s Office said the car was bought using a special allocation of RM400 million to the state.
It did not state the price or model of the car although the report, which showed a picture of the Mercedes-Benz bearing the number plate DV 1, was estimated to be worth nearly RM700,000.
The MB’s office said a statement had been made by the deputy menteri besar on Sept 12, 2018, that it was replacing the car.
The state government had decided to replace the official vehicles of the menteri besar and exco members in stages, it said, adding that some of the vehicles were 10 to 12 years old.
“The official vehicle of the menteri besar has been the vehicle used since the administration of menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, which was a gift from Sultan of Kelantan,” it added in a statement
Kelantan Pakatan Harapan chairman Husam Musa had reportedly criticised the move, saying the state government was buying luxury cars for use by its high-ranking officials while the state was facing financial difficulties.
Husam said the official car for the federal government is the Proton Perdana. – FMT
Earlier report: Jan 15, Kelantan Government Buy New Mercedes-Benz for MB