TTAM: We have done nothing wrong
Clear conscience: Han (centre, front row) with his committee and association members at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: The Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) has set the record straight about the sale of its “Perfect” number plates, making it clear that the proceeds were meant to boost the sport.
Its vice-president Han Kee Juan took Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming to task for claiming that a direct sales company called Perfect was misusing its connections with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) by selling the number plates for a huge profit.
Han said there was no such company and that TTAM was the one handling applications for the number plates to raise funds for the table tennis world championship it hosted in February.
Such accusations, he added, would tarnish TTAM’s name and could hinder its future fund-raising efforts.
Han demanded an apology from Nga within a week.
He also said the use of the word “Perfect” reflected the full name of the event: the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championship.
The name “Perfect” was also in recognition of TTAM president Tan Sri Koo Yuen Kim’s contribution as title sponsor through his China-based company Perfect Co Ltd.
“Perfect can be used in many ways. These number plates have no logo or connection to this direct sales company.
“In fact, many other companies use the name Perfect,” he said.
Han, who was also organising chairman for the championship, said the association had to raise extra funds as a change of venue for the championship – from Bukit Jalil Stadium to the Malawati Stadium – had caused the costs to rise from RM10mil to RM16mil.
With JPJ’s consent, TTAM took on donations in exchange for bids for Perfect number plates between “1” and “100”.
The association managed to raise RM5mil with 80 of the possible 100 taken up.
Asked if the money raised was used entirely for the championship, Han said there was some left over which would be channelled to TTAM’s other efforts, including providing training for players and building a new clubhouse.
He added that the association’s accounts were completely transparent and annually audited by both chartered accountants and the Sports Commission.
On Sept 4, Nga posted on his blog that a direct sales company was selling the “Perfect” number plates and called it a case of cronyism.
The Perak DAP chairman had been involved in a similar number plate controversy before, in which he accused Yayasan Patriot Negara of abusing its political connections by selling “Patriot” vanity number plates.
