Anwar says he declined Mercedes S600 limo from prime minister’s department

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he turned down the use of a Mercedes-Benz S600 limousine the prime minister’s department purchased prior to his appointment.

This was his latest gesture to signal his commitment towards restoring the country’s economy, after saying he would also turn down his salary as the prime minister.

“I took this step because I did not want any additional expenditure to be incurred for my sake. Instead, I have decided to use any vehicle available in the office for daily use,” he said on Facebook last night.

The S600 model has been discontinued but was priced at over RM1.7 million (S$522,250) when it was launched in Malaysia.

Mr Anwar has assumed an austere image since his appointment as prime minister, repeatedly stressing that politicians should not look to join his administration in the pursuit of wealth and luxury.

He previously told political leaders seeking to join his national unity government that a core tenet would be the complete rejection of corruption. MALAYMAIL