PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport Department has defended the “Patriot” registration series for vehicles, saying special number plate programmes are not new.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia (YPN) was accorded the “Patriot” vehicle registration plate programme and it went through the required application process lasting more than a year.
The foundation, he said, had until this December to offer the number plates, from 1 to 9999, to bidders.
“Regardless of whether or not YPN is able to sell all the numbers, they have to pay RM1mil to the Government,” Ismail said in a statement yesterday.
He said YPN had already paid half of the amount, with the rest to be paid six months later.
He said YPN’s RM10mil to RM15mil profit estimated by certain quarters was merely a projection.
“We firmly state that the Government did not guarantee any kind of earnings for YPN,” he said.
Ismail added that JPJ would monitor how the funds collected were used.
“We need YPN to produce a detailed report of how proceeds from the ‘Patriot’ vehicle registration plate programme will be channelled to patriotic or social outreach programmes,” said Ismail.
He added that the department reserved the right to impose additional terms and conditions.
Referring to a report by DAP against JPJ and the Transport Ministry lodged at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Ismail said the JPJ would cooperate fully with investigations.
YPN was set up on April 12, 2013, to initiate programmes relating to encouraging racial unity, religious tolerance and patriotism among Malaysians.
The NGO is led by government retirees and those from the private sector with the aim of encouraging a harmonious nation.
YPN replies to allegations against 'Patriot' plates'
Malaysiakini
The aim of Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia (YPN) to raise up to RM15 million in profit from selling a set of vanity vehicle number plates bearing the word "Patriot" has raised eyebrows as of late
In a statement today, YPN said the "confusion" over the car plates was the result of facts being "manipulated by irresponsible quarters" and it worsened when politicised by DAP parliamentarians Liew Chin Tong and Nga Kor Ming.
It said the statements of Liew and Nga were not accurate and were manipulated, leading to negative perception on YPN.
As such, to counter such "inaccurate claims", YPN has come out with its answers to the claims. Below are the answers to the various claims made.
Allegation 1: That it is a RM10 million project and the Road Transport Department (RTD) was only given RM1 million.
Answer: This is not true. RM10 million is the target sales of the Patriot plates and not the profit or the cost of the project, which was given directly to YPN. Payment of RM1 million to the RTD was a basic condition after the approval of the vehicle plate series, regardless of the profit or loss faced by YPN. Therefore, any risks would be borne by YPN without involving the government.
Allegation 2: (Defence Minister) Hishammuddin Hussein awarded the approval of the Patriot car plates to YPN through direct negotiations.
Answer: This allegation, that YPN obtained approval through direct negotiations with Hishammuddin (photo), who was the then acting transport minister, is untrue. YPN made an application to the Transport Ministry in 2013 and obtained approval two years after the application was made, which was in early 2015. Apart from Patriot plates, there were 25 other special plate series which were approved previously.
Allegation 3: The RTD's earnings are the taxpayers' money. Sales of Patriot plates are also from taxpayers. This is a loss for the country.
Answer: The Patriot plates is the initiative of YPN. The RTD never had any plan to come out with the Patriot vehicle plate series. YPN did not use any allocation from any government agency, or money from taxpayers.
Therefore, the allegation that RTD suffered a loss is not true because the agency still received a payment of RM1 million, whether or not YPN succeeds or fails in selling the vehicle plates. This means that the RTD, the rakyat and the country will not suffer losses as claimed.
Allegation 4: YPN has relations with an Umno crony.
Answer: Husainay Hashim is YPN chairperson based on his background. He has served 33 years in the Malaysian army. The idea of forming YPN came about after the Lahad Datu incident, where he was worried about a split among Malaysians due to the difference in political ideologies.
Husainay is not an Umno crony. His appointment as Umno works secretary from 2004 to 2008 was due to the invitation by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. YPN was formed with the aim to inculcate the spirit of patriotism among Malaysians, regardless of race. YPN committee members and volunteers come from various races and political backgrounds.
Allegation 5: YPN is representing the RTD to auction Patriot plates
Answer: This is not true. Instead, YPN was given the approval to sell car plates Patriot 1 to Patriot 9999, where it is up to the YPN to utilise the selling method it deems necessary.
Question: Who manages the revenue obtained from sales of the car plates and how are they spent?
Answer: Profits from the sales will be channelled to an account owned by YPN to fund our programmes and activities, which will heighten the spirit of patriotism among Malaysians.
In a statement today, YPN said the "confusion" over the car plates was the result of facts being "manipulated by irresponsible quarters" and it worsened when politicised by DAP parliamentarians Liew Chin Tong and Nga Kor Ming.
It said the statements of Liew and Nga were not accurate and were manipulated, leading to negative perception on YPN.
As such, to counter such "inaccurate claims", YPN has come out with its answers to the claims. Below are the answers to the various claims made.
Allegation 1: That it is a RM10 million project and the Road Transport Department (RTD) was only given RM1 million.
Answer: This is not true. RM10 million is the target sales of the Patriot plates and not the profit or the cost of the project, which was given directly to YPN. Payment of RM1 million to the RTD was a basic condition after the approval of the vehicle plate series, regardless of the profit or loss faced by YPN. Therefore, any risks would be borne by YPN without involving the government.
Allegation 2: (Defence Minister) Hishammuddin Hussein awarded the approval of the Patriot car plates to YPN through direct negotiations.Answer: This allegation, that YPN obtained approval through direct negotiations with Hishammuddin (photo), who was the then acting transport minister, is untrue. YPN made an application to the Transport Ministry in 2013 and obtained approval two years after the application was made, which was in early 2015. Apart from Patriot plates, there were 25 other special plate series which were approved previously.
Allegation 3: The RTD's earnings are the taxpayers' money. Sales of Patriot plates are also from taxpayers. This is a loss for the country.
Answer: The Patriot plates is the initiative of YPN. The RTD never had any plan to come out with the Patriot vehicle plate series. YPN did not use any allocation from any government agency, or money from taxpayers.
Therefore, the allegation that RTD suffered a loss is not true because the agency still received a payment of RM1 million, whether or not YPN succeeds or fails in selling the vehicle plates. This means that the RTD, the rakyat and the country will not suffer losses as claimed.
Allegation 4: YPN has relations with an Umno crony.
Answer: Husainay Hashim is YPN chairperson based on his background. He has served 33 years in the Malaysian army. The idea of forming YPN came about after the Lahad Datu incident, where he was worried about a split among Malaysians due to the difference in political ideologies.
Husainay is not an Umno crony. His appointment as Umno works secretary from 2004 to 2008 was due to the invitation by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. YPN was formed with the aim to inculcate the spirit of patriotism among Malaysians, regardless of race. YPN committee members and volunteers come from various races and political backgrounds.
Allegation 5: YPN is representing the RTD to auction Patriot plates
Answer: This is not true. Instead, YPN was given the approval to sell car plates Patriot 1 to Patriot 9999, where it is up to the YPN to utilise the selling method it deems necessary.
Question: Who manages the revenue obtained from sales of the car plates and how are they spent?
Answer: Profits from the sales will be channelled to an account owned by YPN to fund our programmes and activities, which will heighten the spirit of patriotism among Malaysians.
BESTFBKL - Do the same program for all proven NGO's so that they can raise money for their cause, why only for a unproven NGO like YPN? Lets not talk nonsense, there is no risk of losses from this project , even a kid knows that the sales for these number plates will be extremely good. The project itself is causing division among Malaysians, which seem against its cause of encouraging racial unity, religious tolerance and patriotism among Malaysians. JPJ and other government ministries must listen to the people and not defend themselves . Re-evaluate the project. It seems clear many people do not want this project.
Rakyat Didahulukan Not NGO didahulukan!!!
