Kedah MB cries foul over new Honda Accord and Toyota Hilux purchase slander

The Kedah state government’s fleet of 23 new cars been the talk of town as netizens called out the government over the use of state money just to purchase new cars for the executive committee’s (Exco) use. The Menteri Besar (MB) of Kedah has spoken out about the issue and stated that the party will be filing a defamation and slander lawsuit against several individuals.

Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor explained that the cars were purchased for the use of state government department staff and not for the exclusive use of the Exco. He also clarified that the budget for the new cars was approved during Budget 2020 last year.

The cars in question is a fleet of 12 new Honda Accord and 11 new Toyota Hilux. These cars were purchased with the specific reason to replace the state government’s fleet of ageing cars.

According to Muhammad Sanusi, repair costs for the current fleet of 10-year-old cars, some were even purchased back in 2004, are adding up to cost more than the car’s value and deemed uneconomical.

They are also unsafe to travel long distances hence why the government have decided to dispose of them. There are also cases where retired government officials have purchased the cars the government had provided them, leaving the state govt in need of a replacement.

As for the Toyota Hilux, Muhammad Sanusi explained that they were purchased for the use of the Kedah State Forestry Department (Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Kedah) and the Kedah State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam).

The purchase for the new fleet was placed earlier this year but due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order, the cars weren’t delivered until now.

Muhammad Sanusi also said that he understands why his name has been dragged through the mud in this situation as the order for the cars were put in just as he took up the MB role.

"The purchase was made as a fleet at a lower than market price and was approved by the Kedah Finance Officer. The supplier also offered an after-sales package that included free maintenance for 5 years,” said Muhammad Sanusi.

As the cars were purchased with the sole purpose for the use of department officials, Muhammad Sanusi saw the allegations that the vehicles were purchased for the Exco an act of slander. His party will file a lawsuit against several individuals who first started circulating the rumours.

As of 24 November 2020, the cars have already been handed over to the relevant departments.

Source: Berita Harian

Watch the press conference here