Nothing to hide in PATRIOT 1 plate issue

Nothing to hide in PATRIOT 1 plate issue

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) can carry out investigations if there is suspected abuse of power or malpractice in the bidding process of ‘PATRIOT 1′ number plates. Allegedly, a bid of more than RM1.3 million is involved.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today that he considered the matter a non-issue.

“I’m not worried because there is nothing to hide in this issue. The MACC can investigate if there is any abuse of power or malpractice…But check the record to find out who actually approved ‘PATRIOT 1′,” he told a press conference here today.

The issue of the plate registration number arose when the bidding price for the ‘PATRIOT 1′ vehicle number plate rose above RM1.3 million.

It was reported that the Road Transport Department (RTD) had commissioned the Malaysian National Patriot Foundation (YPNM) to conduct the auction. The proceeds of the auction were to be used by YPNM to promote ‘patriotism’.

The ‘PATRIOT’ number plate campaign for the numbers 1 to 9999 was launched by the YPNM on June 1, and the RM1.3 million ‘PATRIOT 1′ bidding price is believed to be the highest ever for a vehicle plate in the country’s history.

The YPNM made an application for the project when Hishammuddin was the acting transport minister, but it was only approved after Liow Tiong Lai took charge of the ministry.

Hishammuddin also hoped that nobody would create conflict and antagonism between him and Liow on the issue.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base in Teluk Air Tawar, Butterworth, Penang, which was said to be no longer suitable for a base because it was too close to a residential area, Hishammuddin said it was up to RMAF to address the issue.

- BERNAMA