Facing continuous criticism over the bidding for the WWW 15 number-plate, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai today announced his decision to give up the glamour number.
The MCA deputy president reiterated in a one-paragraph statement that he did not bid for the number plate, but merely requested to acquire the number for his official car.
"Let me reassert that I did not bid or tender for WWW15. Following the proper procedures, my office had requested for the registration number to use for the minister's official car" the statement says.
"Let me reassert that I did not bid or tender for WWW15. Following the proper procedures, my office had requested for the registration number to use for the minister's official car" the statement says.
“My office received an official letter dated June 6 from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) confirming the free registration number.
'There was bidding for this number'
“As I now know there was bidding for this number, it is only right that I do not exercise my option. The number should go to the highest bidder,” he said.
Liow was given three options by JPJ - accept the offer free of charge in line with his ministerial status, pay the bidding price of RM24,200, or reject the number-plate.
The minister has been panned for failing to answer reporters' questions as to who had paid the bid for the number-plate, which he had claimed was for his new official car.
He had initially claimed that he did not know the value of the bid, saying he had left the matter in an officer’s hands.
Liow also failed to give a convincing answer on the need to bid for the number, saying his grandfather was using the same number. At the same time, he said he was "okay with any number".
He later revealed that he had received word from the RTD that he need not pay the bidding price, as he was entitled to a "free" car number plate.
Liow then blamed the RTD for publishing his name as successful bidder, claiming that he was only exercising his option as a cabinet minister to obtain one preferred number without charge, and that he had not submitted the RM24,200 winning bid.
Liow was given three options by JPJ - accept the offer free of charge in line with his ministerial status, pay the bidding price of RM24,200, or reject the number-plate.
The minister has been panned for failing to answer reporters' questions as to who had paid the bid for the number-plate, which he had claimed was for his new official car.
He had initially claimed that he did not know the value of the bid, saying he had left the matter in an officer’s hands.
Liow also failed to give a convincing answer on the need to bid for the number, saying his grandfather was using the same number. At the same time, he said he was "okay with any number".
He later revealed that he had received word from the RTD that he need not pay the bidding price, as he was entitled to a "free" car number plate.
Liow then blamed the RTD for publishing his name as successful bidder, claiming that he was only exercising his option as a cabinet minister to obtain one preferred number without charge, and that he had not submitted the RM24,200 winning bid.
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