PUTRAJAYA – The Transport Ministry today denied that there is a conflict of interest in the government’s special task force formed to probe into an alleged misconduct outlined in the “JPJandora Papers” regarding registration of classic number plates.
Minister Anthony Loke said Datuk Rospiagos Taha, the director-general of the Road Transport Department, or JPJ, should be part of the task force to allow access to a more comprehensive investigation.
He added that Rospiagos had only been appointed as to head JPJ on June 19, and had no special interest in the investigation.
“Of course, JPJ is a part of the task force, (and) the JPJ director-general is new. Those who have been making the allegations claimed that the issue was since 2016, so the (current) director-general has no conflict of interest.
“JPJ needs to be involved. Because he needs access to the registration information… If the director-general is not involved, how can he access the information?” he said in a press conference at the sidelines of DAP’s annual convention here today.
Yesterday Loke said the task force, which also consists of the ministry’s Integrity Unit, has been ordered to investigate allegations of misconduct made by the Edisi Siasat’s Telegram channel.
Edisi Siasat claimed there is a scandal involving JPJ where registration of classic number plates had been revived and they are being sold for hundreds of thousands of ringgit, with participation from JPJ officials.
Also included is a 28-page document known as the “JPJandora Papers” which, among others, contains a list of classic number plates by year since 2007 and by state. – September 10, 2023