PUTRAJAYA: The cabinet yesterday expressed dismay over the Terengganu government's decision to purchase 14 new Mercedes Benz cars to replace the Proton Perdana.

A minister, who did not want to be named, said the matter was discussed at the meeting and some cabinet members had described the move as going against the national policy.

"The cabinet did not agree with the state government. But what could it do?"

The minister added that the circular on the official use of national cars by government departments and leaders was still in force.

"Leadership is by example and so, as leaders, we should adhere to the circular.
"If we ourselves do not support our national cars, then who else will?"

The minister added that the cabinet could not accept the menteri besar's explanation that the maintenance cost was high since the Perdana cars were used four years ago.

"As long as the circular on the use of national cars is still in force, we should follow suit. There should not be any excuses."

The minister also dismissed Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said's statement that cabinet ministers also used Mercedes Benz cars.

"I am sure, if it is true, those would be their private cars and not the official car.

"Cabinet ministers have been using the Perdana for official functions.

"Even the prime minister and deputy prime minister use Perdana for official functions.

"I myself have one Mercedes Benz, but it is an old one and is for private use."

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the Terengganu executive council could have misinterpreted instructions from the Treasury on the purchase of completely knocked-down (CKD) cars.

While the Treasury does allow such purchases (without specifying the make of the CKD cars) for use by ministries and agencies, it also expressly states that members of the government administration are to use national cars.

Shahrir said "members of the government administration" included cabinet members and state executive councillors.

"Perhaps they misinterpreted the part about buying CKD cars and did not read the part concerning members of the government administration," he said, confirming that the cabinet had discussed the matter at its weekly meeting yesterday.

He said if the Terengganu exco were unhappy with mechanical problems in the Proton Perdana V6 Executive, they should inform Proton and give the company a chance to rectify the problems.