Kelantan state government has the right to spend its oil royalty funds as they wish, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

However, Mahathir reminded the PAS-led state administration that they would be punished by the people if they do not spend state monies properly.

"We give them the money, but we did not set any condition. They can do what they want.

"If they were to do something that is not right, then the people will punish them," Mahathir said during a press conference at Yayasan Albukhary in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was commenting on the recent purchase of 14 brand new Mercedes Benz by the Kelantan state government for the use of state menteri besar, deputy menteri besar and exco members.

The state government had came under heavy criticism since the purchase was known to the public.

This was especially as several PAS leaders had previously condemned Pakatan Harapan federal government's plan to acquire Toyota Vellfire for its minister and senior government officials.

Among the PAS leaders who had criticised the federal government was its Youth chief, Khairil Nizam Khirudin.

According to Harakahdaily, Khairil had said that the government should be using whatever they have at hand, and only purchase new vehicles when the country's economy grow stronger.