Some rent luxury cars for 'balik kampung'

By THE STAR | 14 June 2018


PETALING JAYA: An increasing number of Malay­sians are spending thousands of ringgit to rent cars for balik kampung just to impress relatives.

Kosmo! reported that the trend was so widespread that many car rental firms were offering more models.

Malaysian Car Rental Business Cooperative president Mohd Afendi Aman said for this Hari Raya, 137 member companies are expected to earn RM5mil through car rentals.

He said 3,200 cars out of a fleet of 4,000 owned by Kopkes members nationwide had been booked for the first week of Hari Raya.

“Not all our customers are car-less. Sometimes they simply want a more luxurious car to take home for the holidays. Cars in high demand this festive season are Vellfire, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other models classified as ‘super cars’,” he said.

For a Vellfire, the rate is RM14,000 for a week, while a BMW will cost RM19,600 and a Mercedes-Benz is RM10,000.

Those wanting something ­cheaper can opt for a Perodua Myvi, Toyota Vios or Honda City which goes from RM1,000 to RM2,000 for a week’s rental.

Car rental owner Mohd Syazirul Mat Sali said some customers did not deny that they were renting cars to give a better impression of their lifestyle to their relatives.

A civil servant renting a car for his trip, who only wanted to be known as Safuan, justified the extra cost as something he did only once a year.

“In the city, I do not own a car as I am single and a motorcycle is enough for me to get around.

“This is only once a year, there is no harm in spending a little extra to rent a car to return for the Hari Raya holidays,” he said, adding that he was renting a Honda Civic for the second consecutive Hari Raya. - Compiled by TAN SIN CHOW, LOSHANA K SHAGAR and R.ARAVINTHAN

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