YOURSAY | Purchase of Lexus ES should ride on proper guidelines

YOURSAY | ‘Impose proper rules and procedures when replacing gov’t vehicles for top officials.’

'Insensitive and selfish' – Harapan Youth crashes into MB's new car

Perak MB bags luxury Lexus ES car at a discount

Siva1967: In regard to Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s purchase of a RM200,000 Lexus as his official car, first and foremost, there must be a guideline and price range for the acquisition of such assets.

The MB being a public servant has no carte blanche to buy or purchase any asset he deems fit for his official use.

Secondly, there is no provision for the MB to decide to “sell off” or “trade off” public property to any of the office bearers regardless of how long one has served (in this case, the now retire state legal advisor).

This office is not his ancestral property for him to “reward” someone for their loyalty. If he wishes to do so, he can do it from his own pocket and not from the kitty of public office.

Me: Faizal’s reason for getting the Lexus is because a retiring staff offered to buy his nine-month-old Toyota Camry for over RM100,000. 

And he claims the government saved more than RM100,000 because he avoided paying over RM300,000 for the Lexus.

Wow, fantastic MB. Because of his intelligent reasoning, the state saved more than RM200,000!

Jaycee: Another fine example of a chameleon (and also frog-jumping) politician who has demonstrated that he is acting on his best interest and not of the rakyat.

We are in the midst of major pandemic with millions of Malaysians are losing their jobs and finding it difficult to put food on the table.

But what does this man do? He goes out and buys a luxury car and then explains that he got the car at a steal; as though the reason will make it less of a crime.

Now we know why so many of these politicians are clinging to power and to jump ship when it seems fit - so that they can continue to fleece the rakyat.

Fair Malaysian: The problem is we give them the authority and then hope they will be responsible in using that to be of service to the people.

A bunch of them sit in air-conditioned rooms and decide to do what they like. We often hear they serve "demi rakyat" (for the people), but often we see it’s "demi diri sendiri” (for oneself).

It has been increasingly clear that most of our elected representatives get carried away, forgetting why they have been elected. They need guidance from us on what they can and cannot do. This is public office and they are using public money.

It may sound trivial but looking at how erratically they have been behaving these days, they should be schooled on how to behave as responsible legislators.

It is very frightening to know that these are the lawmakers who will largely decide what is good for the country. When they get carried away, God has mercy on us.

If this is the way, do you think we should address them as "Yang Berhormat" or "Yang Berkhidmat"?

Purple Orca1561: Pakatan Harapan Youth, whether the reason for acquiring the new car is right or wrong is a different issue.

Do you really believe if this transaction did not take place, they would have used the money to help the needy? Or if Harapan was in government, they would not do the same?

Please stop this nonsense and impose proper rules and procedures when replacing government vehicles for officials of any rank.

There should be clear guidelines on the purchase of a new vehicle as per rank, as well as the usage period. 

The government should also name the model of vehicle allowed to be purchased. The model should not be allowed to be chosen by individuals.

When you have proper rulings and procedures to follow, no such nonsense will occur. 

P Dev Anand Pillai: What is there to shout and scream about when this is the habit of all administrations? When we don't have stern directives to only use Malaysian-made cars, this is what happens.

Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng did the same in Penang during his second term in office with the CM’s official car, giving the same excuse that it was offered at a discount.

In the east coast, the Kelantan officials were even bolder, they drive around in new Mercedes Benzes.

It is all in the attitude, as long as we the people are taken by the antics of these politicians and yet keep voting them in, again and again, they will do as they please with the tax monies that they collect from us.

Anonymous 79: A lot of people are struggling right now but this MB really does not seem to care. They think by just giving the rakyat a few hundred ringgit, we will be fine and okay.

A lot of people don't have work and if they do, are afraid of losing their jobs. Does the government care? 

Faizal should use a Kancil, not a Lexus. While many Malaysians are facing wage cuts, this MB should slash his and his cabinet members’ wages by half. No allowance, no bonus, this is the people’s money after all.

Lamborghini: Indeed, no justification or excuses are acceptable. At a time when the rakyat is suffering, these politicians are only interested in enjoying their perks.

It’s shameful and disgraceful of an MB to do so. This is the worse time to show off. Instead, show compassion and concern for the rakyat’s suffering.

Foureye Man: It has been proven time and again, from BN to Harapan and now Perikatan Nasional, politicians and their friends always get a better deal compared to ordinary people like us.

No wonder, so many people want to be politicians nowadays. Jobs and perks guaranteed, no matter which side of the political divide you are standing.

Brown Cheetah9736: Bungalows below market price, cars below market price, it all sounds too familiar. 

In the middle of this, a state exclusive waste management contract was purportedly awarded without tender.

RKR: In Hulu Langat, we have a single mother with six kids staying in a car for four months because she couldn't afford to pay rent.

And here, we have an MB who gets a Lexus ES Sedan because the Toyota Camry is not good enough for him. What is happening to this country?

Kural: It would be very sad to think that even our young leaders, who have witnessed the profligacy of some of the prominent but irresponsible older generation in high political office, can’t seem to keep away from such temptations.

It would be the undoing of a nation if from one generation to another, abuse of office and misuse or even unreasonable use of public funds continue to be perpetuated.

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