In a statement, the state secretary’s office said the selenite grey, 2019 Mercedes S560e was purchased to replace the previous official car, a Mercedes S300L bought in 2013 for RM298,263.

It said the purchase of the new car was approved by a state executive council meeting in November 2019 after a discount of RM127,765.

On numerous occasions, the purchase of new cars for chief ministers and menteris besar has come under criticism from various quarters.

In 2014, then Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng defended the purchase of the Mercedes-Benz, saying it was better in the long run, and that it took into account the safety and security of state leaders.

Last year, the Kelantan government was criticised for its purchase of 14 Mercedes-Benz cars for its menteri besar and state executive council members.