Penang confirms RM3.3mil purchase of 15 new Camrys
GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today confirmed the purchase of 15 new Toyota Camry (AT) (CBU) vehicles for use by his administration.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the state legislative assembly sitting here, Chow (DAP – Padang Kota) said the vehicles were acquired at a total cost of RM3.31 million.
"Of the 15 cars, 10 are allocated for state executive council members, three for ex-officio members, and one each for the state legislative assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
"The total purchase price is RM3.31 million, which averages out to about RM220,783 per vehicle.
"The cars were delivered about two months ago," he said, adding that the previous fleet was now over five years old.
Earlier, while debating the motion of thanks for Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib's speech during the opening of the sitting last Friday, Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (Pas – Penaga) had questioned the state government over the new purchases, especially in light of reports on the state's financial difficulties.
"We see state executive councillors using new Toyota Camrys, yet this has not been reported publicly.
"The state even received a RM100 million advance from the federal government to manage cash flow, and yet new vehicles have been procured. Can the state government provide clarification?" he asked.
In August 2019, it was reported that the state government had also purchased 15 units of the Toyota Camry 2.5 CBU for official use, replacing the earlier CKD model.
The decision to replace the older vehicles was made to reduce maintenance costs and for safety reasons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysiakini
32 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
PAS targets non-Malays amid criticism of Harapan on social media
Malay-Muslim based parties, including PAS, continue to face challenges in gaining the trust of non-Malay voters. However, PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah said there is now a new opportunity, as this group has become increasingly vocal in criticising the Pakatan Harapan government. 'We are focusing on...
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
External parties behind push for Hadi to step down, say PAS leaders
Abdul Hadi Awang, a seven-term MP for Marang, has been president of PAS since June 2002. PETALING JAYA : Two PAS leaders have dismissed claims that there is a push within the party for its long-time president, Abdul Hadi Awang, to relinquish the post at the party elections in September. Johor PAS Youth chief Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz claimed that such a call had never been raised at neither the state nor central leadership level. 'Clearly this push is coming from outside PAS. It's evident that some parties are uneasy with the performance of PAS under Hadi's leadership,' he told FMT. Terengganu PAS leader Hanafiah Mat also said calls for Hadi not to defend the PAS presidency came from outside the party, and not among its members or supporters. 'Although his health is not that great right now, he is mentally sharper than others,' he said. Speculation has emerged that, for the first time in a decade, the posts of PAS president and deputy president might be contested at the party elections in September. The last time the top two posts were contested was in 2015 when Hadi defeated Ahmad Awang for the president's post, and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man ousted Mohamad Sabu for the deputy presidency. Hadi is a seven-term MP for Marang and a former Terengganu menteri besar. Sinar Harian recently reported that Hadi had conveyed his intention to relinquish the post at a PAS top leadership retreat, citing health reasons. Hadi has suffered declining health in recent years, undergoing dialysis and being admitted to hospital several times. Hanafiah said the party still needed Hadi at the helm, citing his commanding support from the grassroots to the top leadership levels. The Chukai assemblyman also believes Hadi can lead the Islamic party to even greater success at the polls, after its best-ever haul of 43 parliamentary seats in the 2022 general election. 'I'm confident that 'Tok Guru' can lead us towards winning more than 70 parliamentary seats and, God-willing, we will govern Malaysia,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang govt to review 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims, says Sim
Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim said he had spoken to the chief minister after the proposed discount drew criticism. PETALING JAYA : A 5% housing discount offered for Indian Muslims in Penang will be reviewed by the state government, says Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim. He said he had raised the matter with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow recently, after the proposed discount drew criticism. Sim, who is also human resources minister, said Chow had agreed to bring the matter back to the state executive council to be discussed and reviewed. 'I take note of the public feedback on the matter. As a party that upholds the Federal Constitution, DAP always fights for justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. 'It is important that the Penang government continues to uphold the principle of social justice and ensures that every Malaysian's right to homeownership is protected,' he said in a statement. The discount was announced on Thursday, by executive councillor for housing, S Sundarajoo. He said private developers will be encouraged to voluntarily offer a 5% discount to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for one year as part of a state housing campaign. The initiative was criticised by human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who called the campaign discriminatory and unconstitutional. However, Sundarajoo defended the discount, saying it does not infringe on the rights of other communities and was purely aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market. He also said developers would offer the discount as a form of corporate social responsibility and would not involve the state government's funds.
