UPDATED | Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has reacted with dismay to a viral photo which indicates that the Johor state government has just received a delivery of new cars.

"I am a Pakatan Harapan government MP who wants to ask the Johor Menteri Besar (Dr Sahruddin Jamal) of the Harapan coalition a question.

"Is it true what the Johor opposition social media is claiming - that the Johor state government has bought new Toyota Camry vehicles for the menteri besar and his exco?" he said in a statement.

Malaysiakini had yet to verify the authenticity of the photo and is contacting the Johor government for response.

Hassan (above) was referring to a photograph disseminated by Ops Johor on its Facebook page showing new vehicles bearing JDT number plates.

"I attended the Johor MB's briefing for Johor parliamentarians and assemblypersons on Jan 9, 2020 in Kota Iskandar on the land tax increase in Johor beginning Jan 1, 2020."

He said the Johor MB informed them that the main reason for raising the land tax is because the state government lacks money for development for the benefit of the people.

"What is the reason for the purchase of new cars for the MB and exco while the people are still complaining and angry at the increase in land taxes that has been rising so dramatically?" asked Hassan, a former Johor PKR chief.

He asked just who was benefitting from this "development".

Hassan's statement comes just weeks after the PAS-led Kelantan state government came under heavy fire for the purchase of luxury vehicles for the use of its leadership.

Speaking off the record, state government sources confirmed the purchase of the vehicles, saying that there were done in view of the "already poor" condition of existing vehicles.

“The average mileage (on the existing cars) is almost 400,000. Cars are often used.

"Maintenance is no longer efficient, and even burdensome," the source said, adding that the move to replace the vehicles also took into account the safety of the officials and their drivers.