Abg Jo: Sarawak did not buy Toyota Mirai used by leaders

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Photo shows the 2020 Mirai. — Photo from www.toyota.com

KUCHING (March 24): The Sarawak government did not buy the hydrogen-powered vehicles that are now being used as the official cars of state officials, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier explain that the Toyota Mirai were instead given to Sarawak in appreciation of the government’s initiative to promote green energy.

Abang Johari pointed out Sarawak is so far the only state in Malaysia to have a hydrogen production facility and this is why UMW Toyota decided to give the hydrogen-powered vehicles to state leaders.

“The state government is not buying but as the state is the only state having hydrogen facility, Toyota through UMW, gifted to (the) government to promote green energy as Sarawak is the prime promoter in green energy,” he said in a WhatsApp message shared in a media chat group today.

The message was in response to Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan’s statement lambasting the state government for getting the new high-tech hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai for its three deputy premiers given that the vehicles “are not cheap and their maintenance could be high”.

Voon had said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is answerable to taxpayers for spending the money.

Abang Johari received a Toyota Mirai for his use in January this year.

On Wednesday, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian each received a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai sedan to be used as their official cars.