New Toyota Camrys for Perak exco for 'lower maintenance, better safety'
The Perak government’s decision to spend RM1.74 million on 16 new Toyota Camrys for state exco members was driven by projected lower maintenance costs and better safety.
According to Pasir Pinji assemblyperson Howard Lee who is the state exco for youth, sports and human capital development, the move was in line with an existing state government policy which allows for vehicle changes once every five years.
The Perak government’s decision to spend RM1.74 million on 16 new Toyota Camrys for state exco members was driven by projected lower maintenance costs and better safety.
According to Pasir Pinji assemblyperson Howard Lee who is the state exco for youth, sports and human capital development, the move was in line with an existing state government policy which allows for vehicle changes once every five years.
“The replacement of the official vehicles was done on the basis of safety and fiscal management as in the reduction of maintenance costs.
“I think it was a very logical and very simple management decision.
“[...] there were no laws broken and no policies that were not adhered to,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted today.
Lee added that the old cars, which were passed down from the former administration and were no longer under warranty, often needed repairing and had become costly to maintain.
The previous BN state government had purchased a fleet of Proton Perdanas for state exco members back in 2014.
Earlier, China Press reported that the Perak state government had spent RM109,000 on each Camry - some RM90,000 less than its usual retail price.
Lee explained the state government had purchased the vehicles directly from Toyota and received tax exemptions for them.
“We bought them in bulk and there are discounts one gets when you are the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perak state exco for health, consumer rights, civil society, national integration and human resources A Sivanesan (above) confirmed with Malaysiakini that he had received his new car just before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Like Lee, the Sungkai assemblyperson said that the vehicle change was needed as it enabled the state government to serve the people better.
“The old cars were not in good condition, they often broke down.
“The cost for repair was one thing but our appointments are being deferred and sometimes we had to go (to functions) late because of the car,” he said when contacted today.
Asked about criticism by social media users that the excos ought to be using and supporting national cars, Sivanesan opined that the Toyota Camry was a reliable choice.
“It costs a little bit extra, not very much extra but it is worth it for the (amount of) travelling we are doing,” he said.
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