The ‘WWW 15’ controversy — Lim Sue Goan

Would the minister get the number plate for free? Everyone has their own say.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai could not tell earlier who should pay the RM24,200 for the WWW 15 vehicle registration number he won in a recent tender for his official car.

However, he said yesterday that the Road Transport Department (RTD) has notified him that the number plate would be issued free.

Such an argument is in line with former human resources minister Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn’s remarks.

However, when answering reporter’s questions on behalf of Liow earlier, former health minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that the money was just going “from the left hand to the right hand” as all the money goes to a federal consolidated fund from all ministries.

There is a contradiction between Liow’s argument and Chua’s explanation.

Meanwhile, the RTD stressed that the person who had bid for the registration number would have to pay for it. Then who paid the money?

If the minister need not pay, do secretary-generals, director-generals and deputy ministers enjoy the same benefit?

If it was paid by the ministry, the money will eventually go into the Treasury through the RTD and thus, it is going “from the left hand to the right hand”.

There are many questions to be answered. However, a principle that cannot be compromised would be, if the money was paid by the ministry, the registration number would then be a government asset and the minister cannot retain the number if he leaves his post, regardless of how meaningful the number is to him.

Therefore, they should still make it clear why the number plate WWW 15 should be issued for free when other people have to pay, as it relates to public interest.

It is actually confusing that a registration tender can actually bring so many problems. It shows that the government’s operations lack transparency, while the regulations are not clear enough — confusing even ministers and officials.

There have been so many cases of unclear regulations. For example, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) mooted a new measure requiring ministers and civil servants to declare to the Cabinet if any of their family members are applying for any government facilities, to be included as a new clause under the Public Service Code of Conduct.

Senior executives have the power to approve the issuance and approval of loans and plans, but why is there no law requiring them to declare their family ties? It is indeed a loophole.

The MACC also made other proposals, such as recommending the government make detailed studies before approving any projects, including risk and management assessments.

It also recommended that institutions be established to co-ordinate and supervise the progress of projects. All these things should have been done by the government. Why should it wait to be reminded by the MACC?

As for the WWW 15 number, Dr Chua said that the money was from the consolidated fund. Is the so-called consolidated fund the annual funding allocated for various departments? If not, where did the money come from? Who is managing it? Have the accounts be vetted?

Members of the public are setting tougher requirements for the ruling party after the 2008 general election. Any contradictions and errors in words and deeds would become an issue to be criticised and attacked online.

Therefore, just like harming the interests of Chinese education, the registration number issue must be clarified as soon as possible to avoid further harm. — mysinchew.com