KUALA LUMPUR: A luxury vehicle used by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently is an existing government asset and not a new official vehicle.
The Prime Minister's Department, together with the Ceremonial and International Conference Secretariat Division (BIUPA), in a statement on Facebook on Monday (July 6), announced that the BMW vehicle is an asset under the supervision of BIUPA, which is specifically for the country's official logistics use.
According to the statement, the asset is provided to meet the requirements of international security protocols and standards during official visits by heads of state and heads of government with the rank of president or prime minister to Malaysia.
"For that purpose, this vehicle must meet specially designed security specifications to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats, explosions, and modern security risks including drone threats.
"The use of the vehicle by the Prime Minister is temporary on the advice and security assessment of the police,” the statement said.
The statement also informed that the temporary change was made because the Prime Minister’s official vehicle, which was gifted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is undergoing regular maintenance.
The clarification was made to deny allegations and speculations that have been circulating on social media platforms regarding the ownership status of the luxury vehicle used by the Prime Minister. — Bernama
