‘MCA’s second man more privileged than the Sultan?’

(Harakah) – Questions over Health minister and MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai’s RM24,200 bid for the car registration number ‘WWW15’ continued to dominate online social media with a claim that he has been exempted from settling the amount.

Liow claimed that the number plate was free according to an ‘official notification’ from Road Transport Department (JPJ).

“There is no payment involved. Any further Qs pls refer to RTD [JPJ]. TQ,” he twitted.

The JPJ comes under the Transport ministry helmed by Liow’s party colleague Kong Cho Ha, the MCA secretary general.

Earlier, the Department published names of those who were successful in the bidding for popular car registration numbers under the ‘WWW’ series. Although Liow’s name has been listed, he denied that it was for him, insisting it was for his ministry’s new official car. Grilled by journalists, he further claimed that he did not know the cost when he decided to join the bidding frenzy.

THANKS BUDDY … Liow (right), seen here with Transport minister Kong Cho Ha

However, Liow’s claim was disputed by an official from JPJ who told Chinese daily SinChew that a bidder must pay the amount.

“Although this car plate is used for an official car, we still consider who the bidder is. If the bidder is a ministry, it will be paid for by the ministry. If it’s under a personal name, it will be paid for by the individual,” the paper quoted an unnamed officer as saying.

Since the WWW15 was tendered under Liow’s personal name, the minister would be the party liable for winning the 24,200 bid, he added.

But Liow’s latest remark set off another round of strong reactions from netizens.

“Even the Sultan needs to pay, since when a MCA minister has more privilege than a Sultan?” ran one comment, referring to the Sultans of Johor and Kedah who would be paying RM520,000 and RM220,000 respectively for their numbers of choice.

“Of course it’s free, it’s the people’s money. Tender also can be free, do you still want to tender?” quipped another.

DAP Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament Tony Pua meanwhile suggested that Liow’s ‘free bidding’ could have been decided by Kong.

“Can only guess that MCA buddy Kong Cho Ha came to Liow Tiong Lai’s rescue by waiving the RM24k he has to pay for WWW15? And that makes it OK?” wrote Pua on his Facebook.