IT ALL started with renowned automotive portal Paul Tan’s Automotive News running an absolutely eye-catching headline “PMX Anwar Ibrahim’s official car – bulletproof BMW 7 Series Protection with 530 PS 4.4L twin-turbo V8” at 2.59pm yesterday (July 6).
The piece of news was swiftly picked up by vocal Madani critic Datuk Eric See-To who saw it befitting to take a pot shot at PMX by recounting the early days of the latter’s ascension to his premiership when he humbly rejected a Mercedes-Benz S600 type vehicle that was acquired by the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) before he assumed office.
“Apparently, he previously rejected a Mercedes under the pretext he didn’t want any new expenses made on him because he wanted a custom-built BMW,” mocked the former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communications deputy director on his Facebook page.
Supposedly, he would only use existing old vehicles. But today?
“PMX’s official car is reportedly a BMW 7 Series Protection – not a regular BMW but a bullet-proof and explosion-proof version complete with a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine, 530 PS, 750 Nm torque, mild hybrid system, xDrive, run-flat tires, self-sealing fuel tank, polycarbonate-coated safety mirrors and a VP9-rated armored body.
“The car even come ready with the WAH 1 number plate. Did you buy it from Ah Loke (Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook)?
This was when the news which can have negative effect on Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chances to capture Johor in this weekend’s (July 11) state polls – no thanks to the purported “PMX’s spendthrift attitude” and “cakap tak serupa bikin (preach one thing and practice another) tendency” – started to spread like wildfire on cyberspace.
Former journalist Hanizah Hashim who is critical about Madani policies snubbed with a stinging teaser – “Wow, it’s like Trump’s Beast. Is PMX even as great as POTUS (President of the United States)?”
‘PMX is only borrowing Beemer’
The above chain of events took place prior to a clarification by the JPM and the International Ceremonial and Secretariat Division (BIUPA) that the vehicle is an existing asset owned by BIUPA and is not PMX’s new official vehicle.
“The vehicle in question is provided to meet the country’s official needs, particularly for the use of heads of state and heads of government with the rank of president or PM during official visits to Malaysia in line with international protocol and security requirements,” they pointed out in a statement.
“For that purpose, this vehicle must meet security specifications designed to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats, explosions as well as modern security risks including drone threats.”
However, the vehicle was selected for temporary use by PMX on the advice and security assessment of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) as PMX’s official vehicle gifted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is undergoing maintenance.
But even then, detractors like See-To are unconvinced that “PMX is borrowing the car”.
“It can’t be a coincidence because WAH 1 is an abbreviation of PMX’s name in Mandarin,” jibed the loyalist of disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Is the WAH a special issue or new number plate? This is a very old number plate that is probably bought from the original owner.”
In earnest, one netizen hit the nail on the head when he contended that the crux of the matter is not about PMX not deserving to use the Beemer but more of the public wanting to put PMX on the spot over his attitude of over-boasting and inability to walk the talk.
It’s normal for the cars of the highest government leaders to have all sorts of safety features.
Just that if DSAI hadn’t talked big previously (including not taking salary), people wouldn’t be making such a fuss.
That perception arose because of DSAI’s own mouth … People are just eager to taunt him back. 😅” – July 7, 2026
