The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has transformed the Terengganu Proton Perdana V6 Executive/Mercedes E200 Kompressor controversy into a pure fiasco.
What is the solution? The 14 RM245,000 Mercedes E200 Kompressors purchased by the Terengganu government for RM3.43 million are to be used only by VVIPs – “foreign dignitaries” for “major functions” – while the State Excos must continue to use the fleet of 16 RM130,000 Proton Perdana V6 Executives bought in 2004.
Reason? This is from Abdullah’s own words, explaining the Cabinet decision: “Since the cars have been bought and to sell them would only result in a loss, all of them must be used for state guests or dignitaries.
”This is the decision, nothing more, nothing less.”
Wouldn’t this ridiculous and laughable solution result in greater losses to the public coffers?
Who are the VVIPs or “foreign dignitaries for major functions” who would qualify to be chaperoned around the state in the 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressors?
Would there be 14 or 28 or 42 such “VVIPs” visiting Terengganu per year? Can the people of Terengganu and Malaysia be informed of such VVIPs who had visited Terengganu each year since 2004, or will the 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressors go into the Guinness Book of Records as the most garaged and unused Mercedes Kompressors in the world?
Mingguan Malaysia of 20th July 2008 had reported that the 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressors for the 10 Excos, the State Speaker, State Secretary, State Legal Adviser and State Financial Officer had already been delivered, as they had been seen as being used by several Excos and the State Secretary at official functions.
Are all the State Excos, Speaker, State Secretary, State Legal Adviser and State Financial Officer to return the 14 Mercedes Kompressors to the state garage and to take back their old Proton Perdana V6 Executives?
The front-page headline report of Utusan Malaysia of 23rd July quoted the Mentri Besar’s office as alleging that the maintenance costs for Proton Perdana V6 Executives had totalled as much as RM132,357.36 to RM175,229.97 each for the fleet bought in 2004.
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has started to probe into the high costs of maintenance of the 16 Proton Perdana V6 Executives, and rightly so, and I will ask for a report on the outcome of these ACA investigations when Parliament reconvenes on August 18 next month.
What is noteworthy is that the ACA investigations into the Terengganu Exco Proton/Mercedes imbroglio has prompted a retort from the Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said why the authorities had not investigated into the other high-profile projects in Terengganu like the prestigious Monsoon Cup sailing event and the Islamic Civilisation Park.
Ahmad is indeed very right in his retort.
The Prime Minister should answer this pertinent rebuttal from the Terengganu Mentri Besar in Parliament next month.
#1 by kentutoyol on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:28 am
Kathy,
I take your words.
I will sell / trade-in my proton and get a Mercedes.
Any Mercedes sale person around?
Of course a huge thanks to Terengganu MB.
#2 by ChinNA on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:28 am
I disagree that all Proton cars are of bad quality. They are one of the better quality cars in other countries. The exported cars are good. Unfortunately the ones for in-country consumption are different.
No matter.
It is unthinkable that so much had been spent on something that of not proportional to the value returned.
That is the crux of the matter. The cars are only incendental.
#3 by monsterball on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:29 am
Dollah ordered Trengganu guys to use the Merz for foreign VVIPs visiting Trengganu only and to continue using the Proton cars.
All of then drove their brand new Merz to Johore Baru….for celebrations…defying Dollah’s orders.!!
Lets see what PM going to do about it.
As usual….expects forgiveness and understandings.
UMNO is showing clear signs of a disunited party….right now.
Personally…I sympathized with Dollah……….while simultaneously feel he deserved it all…being slow and selfish….half heartedly want to prove he is People’s PM….the other half…..how to protect his own interest and position…..by supporting the false sodomy case…..keep humiliating Anwar.
#4 by shortie kiasu on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:48 am
Another glaring case of ineffectiveness of Abdullah as PM of the country. A ruling and policy from treasury can be ignored and by passed just because Terengganu EXCO had bought the Mercs.
The best part all the Terengganu EXCO don’t give a damn to what he said about the cars, for official guests of the state government.
What the tempting ‘fish’ are lying around waiting to be savoured, do you think all those nasty and greedy ‘cats’ would let the opportinity pass??
When Abdullah said the expensive Merc cars bought against the rules and policies of the country, but with tax payers money, can only be used for the guests of the state, who is there to ensure and monitor the compliance of his instruction? ACA? Police? or the State secretary? but these people are subservient to the MB & the EXCO!!
They, the Terengganu EXCO members, had already flashed their newly acquired Mercs in Johor Baru. Who is there to stop them?
Abdullah should have slapped his own face in the public. Shame on him for his ineffectiveness as a prime minister of this country.
#5 by shortie kiasu on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:57 am
On reflection, Terengganu state government, MB & EXCO, treated the laws of the country, rules & regulations as dirt.
Without a second thought they can just defy the laws and rules by spending millions on the luxury Mercs cars just to satisfy their own ego and luxurious lifestyle.
This is what the federal government called the rakyat: “change your lifestyle” to suit the new reality of high cost of living due to oil price hikes!! Spend more on luxury like Mercs cars like the example set by Terengganu MB & EXCO members.
#6 by kentutoyol on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:57 am
It was said Terengganu have breached the government circulars for purchasing of the merc cars to be used by the EXCOs. A wrong is a wrong. Why must there be compromising condition? Its a fishy decision in fact.
#7 by Loh on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 9:58 am
It is generally agreed that we cannot use the word intelligent to describe PM AAB, but he cannot be so stupid as to believe that his decision to restrict the use of benz would be practised as instructed. Of course he would not be establishing a special force to look into the use of these benzs, unless he hears official complaints again. So to AAB it is the practise of ‘close both eyes and ears’ and pretend that the problems have been solved.
If indeed the Trengganu MB follows AAB’s directive to use the Benzs for only foreign VVIP, then they should have in addition to the Benz, another proton for their ‘normal’ use. That should include an official driver too. So the cost would be higher, even though the salary of these drivers are nothing compared to the maintenance of the vehicles.
If AAB really care about the loss when the benzs are sold, he should allow free auction fto sell the cars to the highest bidders. AAB dared not order Trengganu MB to sell the cars. He is inventing the excuse to use the cars for VVIP, and wanted everybody to close their eyes.
DPM said that the Benzs issue is closed. To him you may not say what he does not like and he would do why he pleases. He seems to be closing issues whenever he pleases.
#8 by marc.placo on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 10:16 am
I see what you see. Our PM is clearly a dud, there is clearly no difference between our PM and a scavenger. He is displaying a very bad and extremely weak leadership. In this world, he is without doubt, the worst leader, or prime minister equating to rubbish. What he speaks is wasting people’s time. He is not firm at all, and nothing qualifies him as PM…this has been well proven. An established federal policy or system is a policy or system which must be followed, otherwise what is point of having a policy, a system or a rule? the rest of the politicians will benefit from precedent, that influences them “buy or commit first, then let federal govt led by PM approve it. People behind say, ” sure ok one lah, our PM is stupid and easily ‘kau-tiam’, at the same time, people sit back and laugh at the PM and present govt….the all kind of bad acts will continue”….what PM we have? …reflect badly on Malaysia… come on even my neighbour’s 6 years old son is commenting the same way. Don’t allow our young children be influenced by the PM’s rubbish leadership, and frankly, if we don’t have a brilliant PM is ok, as long as a PM that knows how to speak, know how to lead, and can resolve reasonably problems, and know how to take care of people’s lives. Definitely not the current PM, no no….please go.
#9 by liketoknow on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 10:20 am
I believed that Abdullah actually is sent by the god to destroy BN, the things he done actually benefited to PR, he is helping PR to take over the government more early.
#10 by grace on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 10:43 am
I have driven Proton cars for more than 10years statrting from saga to Waja, not Perdana, and I calculated my repair bill din not reach that RM100,000 bill. Much, much less!
The Service centres must be investigated too for all these hanky panky.
Don’t let go this Monsoon Cup. Read fromMT that SIL was one of the organisers.
Pak Lah wanted to save face by telling them to use for VVIP. Only he can bluff himself and his third rated cabinet. Do you think that Trengganu Excos can simply watch those shining Mercs in the garages and keep quiet aa?
IfPak Lah has priciples, he would force the state gomen to sell even though at a loss. Why? Integrity is worthmore thanmoney can buy. That is why Chinese are good in business. They play on trust. Once promised to sell goods at an agreed price, he would not backtrack even though the goods may suddenly go up in prices. To them honour and trust is worth mopre than the oss in money. Pak Lah cames to such stupid ecision because he is a lame duck. Even he offended Trengannu Excos, next he would find Trengganu UMNO nominating Muhiddin as the President. Habisla dia!!!
#11 by choonchoy on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 11:18 am
blablowbla,
Thx. I chose this name cause the govt take us the rakyat as fools, but that does mean we are. Like how the govt want to project they are intelligent but have urea in between the ears.
#12 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 11:28 am
Loss to public coffers is the last consideration.
The Proton Perdana V6 Executive is top range national car supposedly a symbol of national pride of the country’s ‘achievements’ which is why state and government officials have to use it in official functions.
But what great acheivement is there really in the national car? We hear often enough all kinds of complaints from users – power window malfunctioning, high costs of maintenance etc.
True or not it is of course not comparable to the Mercedes E200 Kompressor because of the brand name “Mercedes” and the prestige it entails .
And what the state councillors and officials really want is “prestige”. They detest playing by the rules : that the national car deserves support, and if governmental and state officials do not support it, does one expect the rakyat to??
Terengganu state councillors and officials think it fit to now rebel. They have a leader in the Menteri Besar. The MB Datuk Ahmad Said wants to make a public statement. He is independent of Kuala Lumpur. He enjoys the patronage of royalty. His very appointment amid controversy and resistance from central government has, with royal support, prevailed. He also wants to make the statement that all this hype about Proton Perdana V6 Executive is but what it is – just “hype” and symbolism of pride grounded on no real justification. It is timely to make such a statement because Proton’s patron TDM is no longer in power. In his stead, the present PM who is perceived to compromise when pressure is exerted. That is why this half way – half baked – compromise of the Mercedes may be retained but used only by VVIPs – “foreign dignitaries” for “major functions”! Smelling “weakness”, at least 4 of Terengganu reportedly used the Mercedes when travelling to official functions and meetings – The Star (Front page) 27th July in defiance of the cabinet order. It is like saying to central govt. , “see what can you do to us”?
This fiasco is symtomatic of the state of affairs of governace for some time : a certain tendency for government and state officials to assert independence from a central government perceived weak under a political milieu when things fall apart!
It is also symtomatic of the hypocrisy, humburg and charade prevailing in governance for the last 20-30 years where pride and hubris is asserted as more important than real acheivements. Hence the importance of the national car, the importance of having the tallest building in Petronas Twin Tower, the importance of dubing our own Malaysian space tourist as an astronaut etc all in the “Malaysia Boleh” spirit unbacked by real acheivements backed by merits and excellence in any endeavour. Merits and Execllence are a shunned and unadmired principle incompatible with the social re-engineering program of the NEP upon which praxis the ruling party has been able to leverage on to stay in power.
Of course, Ahmad Said is not free from this malaise of hypocrisy when he cited costs of maintenance and burden of maintaining Proton Perdana V6 Executive to public coffers as the reason. Since when has the public coffer and loss to it ever been a consideration? Must be joking!
Pride, comfort prestige and “gaya” are the main reasons. These considerations have always been there, only now expressed more openly. However at least the MB dares to snub the central government by openly saying they prefer the mercedes over the Proton Perdana and challenging this “penny wise pound foolish” attitude of making a big hullabalo over RM3.43 million spent on the mercedes and nothing about the larger sums in the projects like Monsoon Cup and Islamic Civilisation Park, which he has asked the ACA to investigate. Indirectly he is saying, come on, the whole system is based on enjoyment of public coffers a part of which comprise Terengganu Oil money, so let our state officials and representatives enjoy these benefit and not just the pwoerrful calling the shots from KL.
Atr the end of the day, it and all political quarrels are about the spoils, sharing the spoils “equitably” and not monopolistically amongst the ruling clique and those connected to them. It is about prestige and pride, never mind not based on merits and fairness. It is about pretences not reality or truth. This is the singular ethos of governance amongst those in and connected to power that will bring the country, its national recources, productivity, currency and economy to steady descent in calmer times and a plunge in more turbulent times.
#13 by lew1328 on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 11:52 am
Greetigns!
U all know what’s the different between Proton & Merz… It sound like me, look like me, but it’s not me. Yes.
#14 by lee wee tak_ on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 11:59 am
The crap thrown out by the Terengganu car is a disgrace
1) finally someone from the BN adminsitration come out to tell the truth, Proton is second or third class despite almost 3 decades of protection and indulgence
2) government contractors admit to over charging – is the administration department so slow that they have to build 25% surcharge? that’s even beyond some of the loan sharks’ going rate. Credit card company charges 18%. Does the Bank Negara want to say something as the regulator of financial instruments?
3) the amount incurred for all these repairs and maintenance give questions to the driving practice of the drivers, the condition of the roads in Malaysia. The administration tell us to change our life style (i.e. suffer while the minority continue to enjoy) then can they be truthful about whether they can look into vehicle handling to identify ways to save costs
4) The PM’s solution looks idiotic. Mercedes in question are to be used for VVIP’s visit. Who the heck qualifies for that? How many of them visit Terengganu (Michelle Yeoh, you got a car now!)? How often? Is the Terengganu state government going to fork out more of OUR money to buy another set of cars?
My solution is to determine the difference in purchase cost of Proton and Mercede and deduct from the state government’s entertainment and training budget. Since they enjoy the car, they give up their holidays entitlement. Training? Forget it and get back to work. Training is mostly about tea breaks and 5 star hotels anyway, right?
#15 by Kathy on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 12:06 pm
Wah!! Look how “cool” they look on the front page of the Star newspaper.
They maybe defiant to PM’s orders but they will get away with it since PM would not be taking the cane and discipline them…..
#16 by milduser on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 12:43 pm
Now let me get at this Bodowi for once:
Where is his PRIORITY, this stupid fiasco is nothing compared to the national economic problems the country is suffering now. He was not elected to deal with is sidetrack issue (and he got the cheek to get his deputy and the whole cabinet to be involved in this fiasco decision making). AS A PM, and SUPPOSED to be an important and busy man with limited time to carry on the SO CALL unfinished projects for the RAKYAT, yet he got he time and energy to be drawn into this FIASCO! Does he not have a Minister of Local Government to take care of the issue? That minister can be guided by governmental protocols and administrative procedures to deal with the problems. It’s a small matter but blown out of proportion! Down with BN, one more example of incompetent administration of a lame DUCK PM. One more nail to the BN coffin!
#17 by kc66 on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 12:45 pm
I don’t understand how selling the Mercedes would incur a huge
loss. They were bought duty free. If these cars were
to be auctioned off on open market I am sure they will fetch
prices above what they had been paid for. For good measure they
can be auctioned off together with some “auspicious” license
plate numbers like “888″, “8888″, “168″, etc.
In that case the Terengganu govt can even turn a tidy profit
from the car sales!
The cars are still very new aren’t they?
Is ANYBODY using his brain?
#18 by Damocles on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 1:00 pm
“Ask Terengganu MB to tranfer the 14 Mercedes cars to the Federal Government for use of VVIPs etc. They get more visitors.” – Sheriff Singh
Pak Lah don’t have the balls to do that.
Remember, this particular MB is the choice of the sultan and he is all out to tweak the nose of the PM!!
Watch out, more fun will be coming our way.
#19 by Damocles on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 1:05 pm
I think that it should strike Malaysians that the calibre of both the PM and the DPM are of the lowest type.
And both have been hand-picked by the erstwhile PM, one to succeed him and the other to succeed his protege.
With such absolutely horrendously bad judgement, it is not surprising that his twenty years as the top executive of this country has resulted in complete havoc for us, the tax payer!
Just one question – who is he to select the PM for this country?
Shouldn’t that be the right of the people!
#20 by Damocles on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 1:15 pm
“Does the Bank Negara want to say something as the regulator of financial instruments?” – lee wee tak
Do you really think that BNM regulates financial instruments?
This agency is even more somnolent than the PM!!!
That’s why the banks are left to their own devices in charging whatever bank charges they feel like and some rake in one billion ringgit just from them!
The ONLY way this country can ever change is to have a completely new and different government.
Don’t ever listen to the cock and bull story by the BN that they are going to push for reforms.
After fifty years of pure bull shit, we should know that once they have the power, they will cover the sky with one hand (Chinese saying) and we will go on suffering!
#21 by oknyua on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 2:04 pm
Mr Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is like a rejected lover; “don’t call me, don’t sent me flowers or chocolate, don’t mention my name..” Yet he is teling all his buddies, “My girlfriend and I are very loving. She likes me a lot.”
Five states rejected him.
Sabah openly defied him.
Johore asked him to step down.
Now Trengganu defied him yet AGAIN.
He has one MPs in the Federal Capital.
He almost lost N Sembilan.
In all these, he is telling everybody, “We have the people’s mandate. I am the prime minister.” Cry for him. Don’t condemn him.
#22 by StevePCH on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 2:20 pm
hmm…. I don’t think Kampung MB is really out of touch. But really, I think he is smart and brave at this moment. He is not the common UMNO yes man.
The car maintanance issue is just the tip of the iceberg.
When he give a go ahead to ACA for investigations into the various projects, he knows what he is doing.
He also need to have a solid support and who in the first place gets him into becoming the current MB !!! Can AAB do anything to him ??
Defying the order for usage solely to VVIP seems logical enough for everone except those suggesting it.
AAB must be having nightmares haunting him nowadays.
Let us all see what other skeletons BN have in the closet that is coming out !!!
#23 by FY Lim on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 3:43 pm
The Trengganu State govt is a BN ruled state under Ahmad Said.
The PM who is the president of UMNO and Federal govt gives a ruling and directive not to use the Merc for individual Exco member’s use.
However, Ahmad Said , a member of UMNO decides otherwise. What does this act of defiance means ? Gross party indiscipline and the PM cannot do anything. This is tantamount to the head moves but the tail refuses to budge.
This clearly shows that the party is in disorder and confusion and the PM’s words and action are taken with a pinch of salt. Sad to say.
#24 by law1999 on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 7:30 pm
It look like .We get better advisors here than what the PM and DPM get in Putrajaya.
SIMPLE economic for the 14 MERC.
SOLD to public on auction can make handsome PROFIT.
WORKABLE option but we have a PM and DPM that have no POWER to DISCIPLINE the members.
But dont forget got a lot of POWER to DISCIPLINE rakyat
#25 by 7even Sins on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 8:26 pm
Whatever the headlines, whatever ACA investigation conducted and whatever damned commissions set, everything will be swept under the carpet. It is always Abang-Adik culture…!!! Nobody will be will get prosecuted in the process. That’s the magic in this BolehMampusLand’s politic…!!!
#26 by Rocky on Sunday, 27 July 2008 - 10:24 pm
our stupid DNA becomes old PM is at it again.yeah he need to kow tow to all UMNO warlord due to Dec elections but he expects us to swallow his reasons like we were born yesterday. come on Mr.PM, we are not all bodoh and rice is not cheaper in Msia than Thailand.
yes the perdana is not the best car around but buying a Merc and not C200 but E200, is the wrong decision.Buy a Toyota or Honda la. and to keep the car for VVIP is another stupid and wrong decision. Guess no one told the PM there is such a thing called depreciation and Merc depreciate a lot. Is this leaving the car in a garaged for VVIP a smart thing. and please save us this we want to save tax payers money cos BN never has tried to save tax payers money and keeping the car just shows it.
The best solution and a lesson to others would be, sell the car at a loss since it will depreciate anyway.That is a firm and sound decision making by a PM. But we know this decision is more like people will forget about the car in 6months and then you guys can use it after that.But looks like someone can’t wait to use them.
Pak Lah better step aside then be a sitting duck and think Msian are stupid PM!!! Let Najib or someone else step in.
#27 by AhPek on Monday, 28 July 2008 - 1:30 am
Ahmad Said may look like a village bumpkin with his ‘toothy grin’and ‘kampung
look’ but one can be deceived by looks alone as is the case of this Trengganu MB.He is in fact making a statement and that statement is that he has also a right to have a fair share of the spoils as well and if the ACA has to investigate his purchase of the Mercedes they should also investigate the Monsoon Cup sailing events and the Islamic Civilisation Park.Bodohwi must be completely stumped by MB’s intransigence and certainly been rendered impotent to act as any CEO would have.
But this is what is expected in any organistion if the CEO is tainted, one would also expect their underlings too.So how could Bodohwi act when he is just a lame duck with hands tainted like the rest of them!
#28 by AhPek on Monday, 28 July 2008 - 1:32 am
Correction. “Ahmad Said may look like a village bumpkin………….but one shouldn’t be deceived by looks alone as is the case of this Trengganu MB.”.
#29 by undergrad2 on Monday, 28 July 2008 - 8:37 am
“Undergrad2, how about supplying sun block to all MPs that cycles to their offices and meetings?”
Is the tender closed or open?
#30 by taiking on Monday, 28 July 2008 - 9:09 am
The country bumkin is smart. See he has got the sleepy head by his neck.
“Kalau you buat bising saya expose lagi!”
“Baik you diam.”
#31 by alphapower on Monday, 28 July 2008 - 1:35 pm
Hi Bro 7 even Sins,
I agreed with you no matter how tick the files are taken by BPR, end of the days only the small flies that will be prosecuted. BPR are only sandiwara that they are really looking into this matter. As far as we know BPR report directly to the PM.
#32 by NewDAP on Monday, 28 July 2008 - 9:26 pm
this type of cases only involved the small flies, like the drivers, the states officers and mechanics.
they will normally change the new perdana parts with the used parts. Then the new parts will be sold in black markets.
The amounts involved were to small for the Exco or MB to take…
because most of the government officers and exco are sleeping, therefore those small fries able to cheat up to hundred of thousand.
only if, our exco or those officers in-charged of payments are more careful in carry out their duties, such thing will not happen undetected. it proved that most of the exco and government officers are real stupid and slept on their jobs exactly like their boss.
#33 by eloofk on Wednesday, 6 August 2008 - 7:03 pm
Ai ya, dont waste your time asking the ACA to investigate. Find out where the officers from ACA get their pay from.