He said the purchase of the SUVs was planned earlier this year and that the matter should not be an issue as it had gone through the proper procedures.

He was quoted by Bernama as saying that certain quarters were deliberately politicising the issue as it involved Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and the state leadership.

“It is a common practice that when there is a change in government, the vehicles will be replaced.

“Last year, when the forestry department purchased four-wheel drive vehicles, nobody raised any concerns about it.

“So, why bring up the matter (about new SUVs) now?” he said when met by reporters at the state disaster operations room in Kuala Terengganu today.

Recently, a photo showing several Mazda SUVs, allegedly purchased for the use of the Terengganu menteri besar and the state exco members, was widely shared on social media. The vehicles had Terengganu number plates.