Former acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein today said he had "nothing to hide" over the 'Patriot' plates for which the auction rights was controversially awarded to an obscure NGO.
 
Stressing he had no knowledge about the award to Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia (YPNM), Hishammuddin said the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) was welcome to determine who actually granted the bidding rights.
 
"I don't know anything about it...I have nothing to hide.
 
"I hope the MACC can investigate if there is any abuse of power or wrongdoing.
 
"If possible, investigate who actually approved the 'Patriot' (plates) scheme," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
 
YPNM had said it applied for the auction rights when Hishammuddin was acting transport minister but only received approval after MCA president Liow Tiong Lai took over the portfolio last June.

Hishammuddin's claim that he had no knowledge about the award means the spotlight is now on Liow.

However, Hishammuddin, who is the current defence minister, insisted that this does not put him at odds with Liow ( photo ).

"Don't try to use this as an excuse to get me into a fight with the current transport minister," he said.

The Umno vice-president said when he was acting Transport Minister, he did not approve anything related to the Patriot license plates.

"As I remember, there was none. Do not create conflict between me and the current Transport Minister.

"Actually there is nothing wrong in coming out with the Patriot license plate.

"I can only answer for myself as I do not remember giving approval of the Patriot license plate during my tenure as Acting Transport Minister," he said.

It was previously reported that YPNM's target is to make RM10 million to RM15 million profit in selling the number plates. 

YPNM vice-president Nadzim Johan had said yesterday that the organisation is free to set the price for all the car plates, after the Road Transport Department receives a lump sum of RM1 million.

However, YPNM will be responsible for all costs if it failed.

Liow has yet to give his response on the matter.