Bandar Klang state assembly person Teng Chang Khim has raised questions over two recent decisions by the Selangor government involving the disposal of luxury cars.

Teng said one deal involved the sale of at least nine state-owned Mercedes Benzes at below market value to state leaders. The other involves the use of a state-registered luxury car by a Klang businessman.

He told malaysiakini that he was exposing these arrangements in protest against the state's request for an additional budget allocation, which was debated during the state assembly sitting yesterday afternoon.

On the first deal, Teng said the Selangor government had sold off nine Mercedes Benz cars to state exco members at a price well below their market value.

He said the cars were part of a fleet used by the government prior to the new ruling for all departments to substitute their luxury car allocation with Proton Perdanas.

"These cars were sold at around RM30,000 each when their market value is between RM150,000 and RM200,000. If the state government had put the vehicles on open tender, it would have obtained a higher price," he said.

He named the buyers as state assembly Speaker Onn Ismail; deputy Menteri Besar Zainal Abidin Ahmad; former state secretary Amrin Buang; former state legal advisor Zawawi Salleh; state exco members Ch'ng Toh Eng (BN-Kuala Kubu Baru), Tang See Hang (BN-Rawang), Mohd Sharif Jajang (BN-Dengkil), Abdul Fatah Iskandar (BN - Sijangkang) and K Sivalingam (BN - Ijok)

None of the above could be not be reached for comment this morning.

'State property'

On the second case, Teng said a Mercedez Benz S320 previously used by former Menteri Besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib has been seen in the possession of a prominent Klang businessman, although the car is owned by the Selangor government.

Teng said the businessman heads a company which has entered into an agreement with the state government to develop the Bandar Baru Klang township.

"When the question (of ownership of the car) was raised during the last state assembly sitting, we were informed that the car was registered under the name of the state secretary," he said.

"This means that it is still in the possession of the government. However, the same car has been seen to be used by the businessman."

Teng said the businessman should not be allowed the use of the car as it is state property and is exempted from payment of road tax and insurance premium.

"Who is this businessman that he has been given such privileges?" he asked.

State assembly person Azmin Ali (Keadilan-Hulu Kelang, photo left ) had raised this issue during the debate yesterday on the request for an additional budget allocation. In response, Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Mohd Toyo ( photo, right ) said he would comment on the matter after clarifying the details of the case.

Teng was unable to raise the queries as he was suspended for a day after getting into a heated argument with Speaker Onn Ismail over the latter's decision to allow a state exco member to respond to points during the debate.

Last week, Teng filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Agency calling for inquiries into several high-expenditure projects in Klang.

These include expenditure in excess of RM100,000 for a new ceremonial mace and new set of uniforms for Klang councillors, as well as a plan to import 10 thoroughbred horses at an estimated cost of RM250,000 to equip a new mounted crime fighting unit.