KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia newly appointed Prime Minister cancelled the order of a Mercedes-Benz S600 limousine as his official car, and asked if people would be ‘okay’ with his Toyota Camry car.
Anwar Ibrahim said he managed to reverse the order made by the previous Prime Minister.
In a video shared by The Malaysia Insight reporter Ravin Palanisamy, Anwar told the press before leaving: “The Mercedes hasn’t arrived… So if it is okay to use this car(Toyota Camry)?”
“Actually, this Mercedes was ordered by a previous prime minister. So, I checked if I could cancel it and I managed to do that,” Anwar said.
Prime Minister @anwaribrahim asking reporters if we are ‘okay’ with his #Toyota Camry car.
Anwar said he was able to cancel the order of a #Mercedes S600, made by previous govt, in time before delivery. #PM10 #PM10malaysia pic.twitter.com/IVe0cy7uvz
— Ravin Palanisamy (@RavinP_69) November 28, 2022
The price of a Mercedes-Benz S600 limousine and its variation can range from RM700,000 (US$156,000) to RM1.9 million, according to various sources.
Anwar later explained on his Facebook page that he did not want any additional expenditure to be incurred because of him.
“Instead, I have decided to use any vehicle available in the office for daily use.”
“Every ringgit counts”
Anwar also made another similar remark on 26 November after thanksgiving prayers at a mosque in Sungai Long, saying that no new official car will be bought for his use and no renovations will be carried out at his office.
He says that he wishes to establish a new culture to avoid the wastage of public funds, “because every ringgit counts”.
“It could be just RM100, RM1,000 or even RM10,000… it can still mean a lot when it’s returned to the poor. I started with a commitment not to take a salary, but what’s important is not to waste what funds we have.”
“This is a message to all department leaders to remember that in the current situation we should start a new culture. Don’t use government money for our own facilities,” Anwar added.
75-year-old Anwar Ibrahim was appointed and sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister last Thursday.
He had previously reiterated that he would not take his PM’s salary, in solidarity with the people who are struggling with the rising cost of living.
Ismail’s press secretary said the former PM also turned down a bulletproof vehicle
Meanwhile, Ruhaidini Abd Kadir, press secretary for Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (9th Prime Minister), said there is nothing special about Anwar Ibrahim cancelling a new official vehicle, as Ismail also did the same.
She said Mr Ismail declined to use a bullet-proof vehicle that was provided by the government for him.
“Throughout his tenure as PM, Ismail Sabri is more comfortable using the MPV vehicle that was used by the previous administration.”
She added that Ismail even refused to approve upgrades to Perdana 1 (the official aircraft of the prime minister).
“Mr Ismail continue to stay at his own house, hose not to move to Seri Perdana, although the Prime Minister’s official residence has been beautifully renovated.” she wrote on a Facebook.
