The health minister's explanation that he obtained the WWW 15 vehicle registration number for free only raises more questions, says PKR.
(FMT) - PKR investment and trade committee chairman Wong Chen today cried foul over Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai’s claim that he obtained the vehicle registration number WWW 15, valued at RM24,200, for free from the Road Transport Department (RTD).
Wong said the RTD, which oversees the open tender for number plates, distribution and payment, falls under the purview of Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha, who is also MCA secretary-general.
“Did Liow abuse his connections to secure the WWW 15 number? We sincerely hope that it was not a case of one MCA minister helping out another,” he said.
Liow, who MCA deputy president, when grilled by reporters over who paid for the number plate, fumbled with his answers and failed to provide a clear explanation.
He said he was unsure who doled out the cash, and created more confusion when he also said the number plate was not for his personal use but for official purposes.
He said that all ministers were eligible for one number plate and hence that was how he obtained the number plate.
However, the Chinese press, which quoted reliable sources, reported yesterday that Liow would still have to pay for the number plate even if it was for official purposes.
Wong said that Liow cannot dodge the issue by giving evasive answers, adding that the RTD handled the entire tender process without him having any knowledge of it.
“An applicants must fill up the RTD form MV 10, attach a copy of his IC and personally sign the document. In addition, the applicant must include a bank draft for half the value of the bid.
“The process is deliberate and personal, and therefore can only be done with the full knowledge and participation of the applicant.
“For Liow to say that he had no hand in the bid [even though his signature is required in MV 10), and that he has no knowledge of who paid for the number is illogical and strange,” he said.
Furnish evidence
Wong also asked if it was true that Liow received the number plate for free, would the RTD forgo its revenue of RM24,200?
“How would RTD explain to successful bidders for WWW, including the Sultan of Johor who paid up in full? It will make the public lose faith in RTD’s open tender process,” he said.
