IPOH, 24 April 2009: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said today that the decision to auction off 16 Toyota Camry cars, which were purchased by the previous state government of the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition, would not be a loss to the state government.
He said the opening price for the vehicles was RM148,000, which is the current market price, but added that bidders might bid at a higher price for the cars, which were bought for RM158,000 each.
He said a claim by former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin that it would be a loss of public funds to auction off the cars was baseless.
“We do not deny that the value of the cars has depreciated, but in an auction, the bidders may bid at a higher price,” he told reporters after opening a seminar for young entrepreneurs here.
Zambry also said the state government had no plans yet to replace the Camry cars, which were used as official vehicles by state executive councillors of the Pakatan Rakyat government, as the official cars, the Proton Perdana V6, could still be used.
“I have instructed State Financial officer Datuk Jamaluddin Al Amini to look into the matter, including discussing with Proton Perdana, on maintenance of the Proton Perdana V6 cars,” he added.
The previous Pakatan Rakyat state government had bought the Toyota Camry cars to replace the Perdana V6 cars which were used for four years by the Barisan Nasional government, prior to the coalition losing the state to the opposition in the March 2008 general election. — Bernama
Paul says
This is just publicity gimmick. Actually it’s a waste of time and money. Trying to show that he is very patriotic and a good guy. Unfortunately your behavior is not consistent. At least wait until your are confirmed as the new MB first.
PM says
Who would be that stupid to bid higher than the current market price? Surely, the Sultan Perak has chosen the wrong person to be the MB -for he is wasting taxpayers’ money to replace these new cars.
simon khoo says
The opening price for the vehicles was RM148,000, which is the current market price, but he added that bidders might bid at a higher price for the cars, which were bought for RM158,000 each. That was Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir commercial logic.
Where on earth did Najib find this Datuk Seri? He is missing some simple arithmetic. Why a Form One student will tell you, you just don’t buy a used car at a higher than market price.
As a Perakian, I tremble with trepidation about what will befall Perak with Zambry as MB.
Jason says
At an auction for a priceless artefact, it’s possible that individuals would bid higher than the market value. Last time I checked, the Perak Camrys were no different to the ones down the road.
haha says
How can they be the same as the ones down the road. More valuable! Maybe some of the excos farted in them!