Penang CM defends RM3.3mil Camry purchase: 'Old cars cost more'

New Straits Times

22-05-2025

GEORGE TOWN: After defending the Penang Development Corporation's (PDC) decision to award staff bonuses of up to six months' salary, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has now justified the purchase of 15 new Toyota Camry (AT) (CBU) vehicles for use by his administration.
In his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly today, Chow said the new vehicles were acquired to reduce maintenance costs.
He said that the state government typically replaced its fleet every six years, with the previous batch purchased in 2019.
"The state replaces official vehicles every six years to reduce the rising cost of maintenance," he said.
"The previous vehicles are still in use, kept in a pool for officers as needed."
However, Chow said that even with the pooled cars, there were still not enough vehicles to meet demand.
He said that it was widely recognised that vehicles older than five years with high mileage could pose safety concerns and incur higher maintenance costs.
He said the practice of replacing official vehicles every six years began in 2013, and maintenance costs for the ageing fleet had risen significantly.
"On average, maintenance for each vehicle assigned to Exco members and officers has reached RM42,144 due to wear-and-tear repairs," he said.
"In total, the state has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these vehicles."
Chow's administration has faced criticism over the recent purchase, particularly in light of reports highlighting the state's financial constraints.
On Tuesday, Chow confirmed the acquisition of 15 new Toyota Camry vehicles, costing a total of RM3.31 million. Of these, 10 were allocated to state executive councillors, three to ex-officio members, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state legislative assembly.