RM3.311mil official car purchases under fire
GEORGE TOWN: Penang's state executive councillors and ex-officio members have been going around in the latest Toyota Camry over the past two months.
The purchase of the new cars was revealed yesterday, only to come under criticism from political parties.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told reporters at the state assembly that the new fleet of 15 vehicles, costing RM3.311mil in total, was delivered in March.
'The cars were delivered to 10 executive councillors and three ex-officio members, namely the state secretary, the deputy chief minister and the state legal adviser, as well as the state assembly speaker and deputy speaker.
'On average, each car cost RM220,783,' he told reporters.
The new ninth-generation Toyota Camry features a completely redesigned interior, refreshed exterior styling and comes exclusively with hybrid powertrains.
The previous 2018–2024 models, bought in 2019, offered both petrol and hybrid options.
Chow said the previous vehicles had been in service for over five years but he did not specify why they had to be replaced.
Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng questioned the rationale behind the decision to spend RM3.3mil on new vehicles at a time of economic challenges, when people are struggling with the cost of living.
'We've heard of government announcements to raise taxes, fees and charges, including liquor licence fees, quit rent enforcement, and even veterinary service charges.
'There was even a report that the state is considering reviewing the financial aid to Penangites under the i-Sejahtera welfare programme.
'This (car purchase) is unacceptable. The money should be used more wisely,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang LRT issues settled, says Loke
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook checking out the Rapid Penang On-Demand service which is operating with 50 vans covering 13 zones. (Johnshen Lee pic) GEORGE TOWN : All outstanding issues between the federal government and the Penang government regarding the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) have been resolved amicably. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said he had chaired the meeting with Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow at his ministry in Putrajaya last month and resolved outstanding issues, including the release letter from the state government. 'Physical work will begin soon, in one or two months. So we ask them (the state government) to ensure there is a traffic diversion plan when piling work and construction begins to ensure the project doesn't have a negative impact on road congestion,' he said during a media conference after ending his one-day working visit to Penang today. On Rapid Penang On-Demand service by Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), Loke said the service, which began in phases from August 2024, was running smoothly with 50 vans covering 13 zones in Penang – seven on the island and six in Seberang Perai. 'The average daily users stand at 1,944 people, with an average of 39 passengers per van daily and an average travel time of 16 minutes and a waiting time of 19 minutes,' he said. He added that there were 150 additional drivers to handle the vans to ensure smooth operations and that passengers would enjoy a fare of RM1 per trip.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Mutiara Line LRT issues resolved, work starts soon
GEORGE TOWN: All outstanding issues between the federal government and the Penang government regarding the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) have been resolved amicably. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said he had chaired the meeting with Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow at his ministry in Putrajaya last month and resolved outstanding issues, including the release letter from the state government. 'Physical work will begin shortly, in one or two months. So we ask them (the state government) to ensure there is a traffic diversion plan when piling work and construction begins to ensure the project doesn't have a negative impact on road congestion,' he said during a media conference after ending his one-day working visit to Penang today. On Rapid Penang On-Demand service by Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), he said that the service, which began in phases from August 2024, was running smoothly with 50 vans covering 13 zones in Penang - seven on the island and six in Seberang Perai. 'The average daily users stand at 1,944 people, with an average of 39 passengers per van daily and an average travel time of 16 minutes and a waiting time of 19 minutes,' he said. He added that there were 150 additional drivers to handle the vans to ensure smooth operations and that passengers would enjoy a fare of RM1 per trip.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Mutiara Line LRT issues settled, physical work to begin in two months
GEORGE TOWN: All outstanding issues between the federal government and the Penang government regarding the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) have been resolved amicably. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said he had chaired the meeting with Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow at his ministry in Putrajaya last month and resolved outstanding issues, including the release letter from the state government. 'Physical work will begin shortly, in one or two months. So we ask them (the state government) to ensure there is a traffic diversion plan when piling work and construction begins to ensure the project doesn't have a negative impact on road congestion,' he said during a media conference after ending his one-day working visit to Penang today. On Rapid Penang On-Demand service by Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), he said that the service, which began in phases from August 2024, was running smoothly with 50 vans covering 13 zones in Penang - seven on the island and six in Seberang Perai. 'The average daily users stand at 1,944 people, with an average of 39 passengers per van daily and an average travel time of 16 minutes and a waiting time of 19 minutes,' he said. He added that there were 150 additional drivers to handle the vans to ensure smooth operations and that passengers would enjoy a fare of RM1 per trip.
