Lim Guan Eng criticised Terengganu government for purchasing Mercedes Benz in 2008
Posted on January 1, 2014 by editor
The netizens criticised Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for changing his official car twice in less than two months.
Below is his comments on the Terengganu government’s decision to buy 14 Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor cars at RM3.43mil to replace the Proton Perdanas in a move to “cut costs” in 2008.
The Edge Daily (Pub Date: July 25, 2008)
Lim: Unwise to spend RM3.42m on Mercs
PENANG: It is not wise of the Terengganu state government to spend RM3.42 million to buy 14 Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor limousines, especially at a time when the people are reeling from rising living costs. Instead, moderation should have been exercised.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who expressed these views to the press yesterday, however, agreed that the quality of a Mercedes Benz was better than that of a Proton Perdana V6 Executive. The Benz’s maintenance costs were also lower. He said that the Penang state government had cancelled the order for five new Perdanas worth over RM600,000 and decided to use existing vehicles.
“We decided to make do with what we have to save cost as long as the car can move and reach the destination. Even the state secretary (Datuk Jamaludin Hassan) had complained that the Perdana has incessant gearbox problems and a leaking roof but that should not be an excuse to splurge.
“They could have even purchased Toyotas. They are the leading car brand in the world, overtaking even General Motors and are much cheaper than Mercedes Benz,” said Lim. He said Umno should practise what it preached. “Umno must do something about this. Its leaders are living luxuriously while the people are suffering,” he added.
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The Star (Pub Date: July 27, 2008)
Penang eyes Toyota Camrys for future official use
GEORGE TOWN: Penang may purchase Toyota Camry cars for official use in the future, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said Penang might buy the cars, which he said were cheaper than the Proton Perdana V6, after seeking approval from the Federal Government.
“Since Terengganu is allowed to keep 14 Mercedes-Benzes costing RM3.43mil, Penang should be allowed to buy Toyota cars in future,” he told reporters yesterday.
Lim described the decision to allow Terengganu to keep its Mercedes-Benzes to be used for foreign dignitaries only as inappropriate especially when many people were suffering during the economic slowdown.
“What’s the regularity of foreign dignitaries visiting Terengganu? How often do even the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister or Sultans visit the state?
“If the cars are not going to be used often, what’s the point of keeping them? This is an example of how public funds are misused by Barisan Nasional leaders,” he added.
Lim said he was surprised that no action would be taken against Terengganu for defying the federal directive, which states that the Proton Perdana is the official car for executive council members and ex-officio members.
