After raising many eyebrows stepping out of a brand new 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560e, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has given a response to acknowledge the backlash for his new ride.

Chow responded that the government could have decided on a better time to replace his official car. He told The Star: “I take note of all the views and I would like to clarify that we followed the proper administrative process before purchasing the car.

“But as the chief minister, if there is an offended party who feels that the purchase was made at a wrong time and that the purchase could have been delayed, I will take the final responsibility.”

After he was spotted stepping out of the new S-Class at City Hall in George Town, many have criticised the state government for its purchase of the luxobarge when many Malaysians were jobless and the country is in dire economic straits as it works to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Responding to this, Chow noted that the money spent on the new official car is a separate matter from the public welfare fund.

“There are worries that the money used to buy the car had affected the welfare of the people.

“However, before the issue was raised, I asked my exco members and finance director to prepare a budget for the economic stimulus package for those affected by the pandemic if the MCO is announced,” he was quoted saying.

He also further promised that the government will exercise more caution in making future purchases.

The S560e is confirmed to have cost the government a cool RM 458,122.78 after a discount of RM 127,765.22 from its original price (Mercedes-Benz Malaysia listed the original price at RM 646,626 excluding SST).

The purchase of the car was also made back in November 2019, before the pandemic hit.

Even so, many have pointed out that the new car is almost double the price of the previous official car used by Chow which was a 2013 Mercedes-Benz S300L that cost RM 298,263.