Muhyiddin never ordered a Mercedes

KUALA LUMPUR: An aide to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Perikatan Nasional chairman never used government official cars during his tenure as the prime minister.

Muhyiddin’s private secretary, Marzuki Mohamad, said the Pagoh member of parliament has been using the same private vehicle since the latter was the home minister during the then Pakatan Harapan federal administration.

Marzuki claimed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had “terkhilaf” (erred) in claiming that the previous federal government under Muhyiddin’s leadership had placed an order for a new Mercedes Benz S600.

“When he was the prime minister, Muhyiddin was given two options — a Lexus or a Mercedes-Benz S600.

“The prices of both vehicles were too expensive, as reflected in the minutes of the last meeting, in which Muhyiddin requested the Prime Minister’s Department to review the matter.

“The minutes were returned and relayed to (an) officer and the matter ended there,” Marzuki said in a posting on his Facebook account today.

He said the Finance Ministry would have made the final approval for the procurement of the vehicle.

“Until the day Muhyiddin stepped down as the prime minister on Aug 16 last year, the government had never placed an order or procured a Mercedes.

“I believe the statement by the 10th prime minister (Anwar) that Muhyiddin had placed an order for the car is incorrect.”

Anwar announced last month that he turned down a Mercedes Benz S600 that was acquired by the Prime Minister’s Department before he assumed office.

Anwar said he decided against using such a vehicle because he did not want to incur additional costs.

NST