The Prime Minister’s Department has clarified that the BMW vehicle recently used by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not a newly purchased official vehicle, but an existing asset belonging to the Protocol and International Affairs Division (BIUPA).
In a statement posted on social media, the department said the vehicle was provided temporarily for official purposes after the official vehicle used by Anwar, which was bestowed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, underwent maintenance.
The department said the BMW was part of BIUPA’s existing fleet and was not acquired as a new vehicle for the Prime Minister.
The department explained that the vehicle was originally prepared for visiting heads of state and heads of government with the rank of president or prime minister during official visits to Malaysia, in line with international protocol and security requirements.
“The vehicle needs to meet security specifications designed to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats, explosions and modern security risks including drone threats,” the department said.
The temporary use of the vehicle by Anwar was based on advice and security assessments by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), it added.
The clarification came following public discussion over the Prime Minister’s use of the BMW vehicle.
Previously, when he first took office in 2022, Anwar had declined to use a Mercedes S600 acquired by the department before his appointment as Prime Minister, saying he did not want additional government expenditure incurred for his personal use.
“I do not want any new expenditure to be made on me.
“Instead, I have decided to use whatever existing vehicles available in the office for daily use,” Anwar said at the time.
He had also announced that he would not accept his salary as Prime Minister and would avoid renovations to his office as part of efforts to promote responsible use of public funds.
