PAS grassroots have expressed their dissatisfaction over the Kelantan state government's purchase of seven Mercedes automobiles for state officials.

A party supporter who declined to be named contacted malaysiakini to complain that the state should have opted for cheaper vehicles considering that its financial status is still among the weakest in the country.

"Why don't they buy Proton Perdana which is much cheaper than a Mercedes E280 that costs more than half a million each? While the people in Kelantan suffer financial setbacks, their leaders are driving around in flashy cars," he said.

He also said it was a bad PR-exercise on the part of the PAS-led state government which claimed to be a "public-serving administration".

However, Kelantan's planning, finance and community development chief Husam Musa clarified that the state had only approved the purchase of re-conditioned cars costing RM140,000 each, not brand new cars as alleged.

"We did not buy new cars. They were re-cond vehicles. We had to buy them to replace the ones bought by the retired officials who had used them during their tenure," he said when contacted.

'Bad' experience with Perdana

He said that the purchase of the cars would not stretch the state's finances stating that "everything was done in a transparent manner and in accordance with treasury regulations".

Asked why the state did not opt for the Proton Perdana instead, Husam explained that while the Perdana is cheaper than the re-cond Mercedes, it would not benefit the state in the long run to buy the Malaysian-made vehicle.

"Yes, it is cheaper by about RM30,000 but its maintenance is very costly. We have 'bad' experience with the Perdana before. We can prove it," he said.

(A check revealed that a brand new Proton Perdana sedan costs about RM99,000 while its executive version, normally used by ministers, is about RM180,000)

"Most of the official cars in the state are Proton Perdana and we found that although the cars are brand new, numerous problems would surface...the steering, doors, engine, so many others. When we complain seeking replacements, we were often refused. So the state has no choice but to cover the costs."

He said their complaints - both verbal and written - to Proton had never been properly entertained.

Dissenting voice

Meanwhile, party sources revealed that Husam was actually 'cornered' into approving the purchase of the Mercedes following pressure from other state officials.

"We were told that Husam disagreed with the move but his view was a dissenting one so there was very little he could do. But we can see his reluctance as unlike others, he has never used the Mercedes. He is always seen in his old car," said the source.

Husam however refused to comment stating that a decision has been made. However, he admitted that he had initially wanted to reject the new car.

"But I was told I could not do that as it would be unfair to the others. Anyway my office is so near to my home that there is no need for me to have another car. I prefer to use my old car which is also a Mercedes," he said.