The Penang government has placed an order for 15 Toyota Camry 2.5 cars costing RM1.7 million, for official use, said state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow.

He announced this today at a press conference in the presence of state financial secretary Mokhtar Mohd Jait.

NONE Chow (right) dismissed allegations that the purchase of a foreign marque state indicates a lack of patriotism.

"The federal government has chosen to buy the Honda Accord for use as new official cars," he countered.

Mokhtar said the cars, which cost RM113,700 each, are expected to be delivered by November.

"We are in the midst of requesting exemption of sales tax and excise, as allowed by a 1994 treasury circular. Once this is approved, assembly (of the cars) will begin at the plant in Shah Alam,” he said.

These will replace the aging fleet of six Mercedez Benz and nine Proton Perdana vehicles that have been in use for an average of 15 years now.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, state executive members, state legislative assembly speaker and ex-officio members will be assigned the new cars.

NONE Lim is being driven in an 18-year-old Merc S320 (left) which was also used by his predecessor Koh Tsu Koon.

State exco Jagdeep Singh Deo has been using the oldest of the Mercedes Benz cars, which is 21 years old.

Maintenance of the cars has cost the state RM304,238 to date this year, RM383,000 last year and RM370,400 in 2011.

Mohktar said the current fleet will either be sold or sent to other departments to replace their cars.