Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein has been challenged to explain how he could afford to pay RM1 million in cash for an American-made vehicle registered to his name.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Mohd Azmin Ali ( left ), revealing this yesterday during a ceramah in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, also dared Hishammuddin to hold an open debate with him.

Azmin produced the vehicle registration card issued by the Road Transport Department, indicating that Hishammuddin has paid in cash for the Chevrolet Hummer ( photo ).

"He keeps saying that he champions the rights of the Malays and the poor. How can he understand the plight of the poor when he indulges in such a lavish lifestyle," Azmin told some 2,000 people.

"Hishammuddin ( left ) has to explain as to how he can afford to pay cash for the car which costs close to RM1 million, given his ministerial salary."

He also said the people should not buy Umno's claim that it is protecting those who are marginalised, when its officials are squandering the people's wealth.

Azmin said Hishammuddin must clear his name before the voters of Pengkalan Pasir go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new state legislative representative.

"I dare him to have an open debate with me on this issue," he said.

Ready for investigations

Today, when met at a function in PAS election headquarters in Pasir Mas, Azmin said he is ready to face police investigations into the issue.

He said this when told by a reporter that Hishammddin had accused him of breaching the law by exposing a confidential document.

"It's a public document which I obtained after doing a search. If he says I have committed an offence, charge me in court. No problem with that.

"This is typical of Umno. It does not address the real issue but diverts the people's attention to other things."

Two days ago, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub threw a challenge to Umno deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin to debate the New Economic Policy.