We didn't use special PM allocation to purchase posh cars, says Kelantan

PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan government has denied that it used the special one-off RM400mil allocation from the Prime Minister to buy posh cars for the Mentri Besar and his executive councillors.

The decision to change the fleet of official cars was made in 2018, long before the state was awarded the special allocation, the Mentri Besar's office (MBO) said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 16).

"The wild allegations that have gone viral are ill-intended and defamatory."

The Mentri Besar's office pointed out that Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah (pic) had announced on Sept 12, 2018, that they would be replacing the fleet of old official cars in stages, starting with the state secretary's car, because the existing cars were between 10 and 12 years old.

The statement was issued, after photograph of a posh Mercedes Benz bearing the Mentri Besar's registration plate DV 1 went viral.

"Tuanku Al Sultan Kelantan had presented to the previous Mentri Besar the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat the official car, bearing the registration number DV 1.

"The State government decided to replace the Mentri Besar's official car, as it is more than 10 years old. But the DV 1 registration number was retained upon seeking consent from Tuanku Al Sultan Kelantan," the statement read.