KUALA TERENGGANU: State Industrial, Trade and Environment Committee chairman Toh Chin Yaw, who raked up one of the highest maintenance bills for his Proton Perdana V6 Executive last year, said he needed a reliable car to take him to his official functions within and outside the state.

"It does not matter what car I use. I just need a reliable and safe car that can take me to my official functions," said Toh.

He recalled that his Proton Perdana V6 Executive once broke down while he was on the way to a function and he had to call for a replacement. He said his official car was heavily used, clocking more than 200,000km since he received it in 2004.

The repairs and maintenance on Toh's car cost the government RM175,229 for the 2004-2008 period -- the second highest after former menteri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh's bill for his official car, which ran up a total bill of RM131,449.83.

Toh said his car was repaired by Tenaga Setia which, to his knowledge, is a Proton-authorised service agent.
Tenaga Setia manager Tor Kok Seng said the company had been handling regular maintenance and specific repairs of the vehicles belonging to the state government since 2004.

He said the seemingly high cost of maintenance of Toh's car was due to repairs after it was involved in several minor crashes.

"On average, the maintenance cost on his car came up to just about RM3,500 a month.

"Taking into account that the car covered a monthly average of about 4,000km, I would say the amount is more than reasonable.

"After all, it is a car used by an important exco member and it has got to be in perfect working order," he said.

The state government came under fire after it purchased 14 new Mercedes Benzes worth RM3.43 million to replace the Perdana V6 Executive as the official car.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, when contacted, said he did not wish to discuss the matter further as there were more important matters to attend to.

"We respect the cabinet's concern but the purchase of the cars was a decision made by the state government.

"But I am just wondering why it has become a big issue when Terengganu decides to buy a more reliable and safe car model for its executives.

"Now that the Anti-Corruption Agency has come in to investigate, I want them to investigate to the very last detail and, if there is a case, they must act.

"Let there be transparency because that is what we all want to see," he added.