Yesterday (January 2), Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the bidding for the Putrajaya ‘FG’ series of special number plates (NPI) will start on January 6 (Monday), while speaking at the launch of a new Road Transport Department (JPJ) office in Putrajaya.
According to a report by Astro Awani, he said that the bidding will open through the JPJeBid system.
“This move will not only increase the revenue of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) but also open up opportunities for the ownership of special numbers,” he explained.
“The bidding announcement could have been a social media post”
However, Malaysians believe there are more pressing issues that deserve his attention as compared to special number plates, and called him out for apparently focusing on the wrong things.
The most prominent issue that was brought up was regarding how more and more people are losing their lives in accidents allegedly caused by reckless drivers of heavy vehicles such as lorries.
“I thought this press conference was to release a statement about creating stricter laws for lorries and other heavy vehicles. It turns out that he’s selling number plates. The fate of the Malaysian people. The government’s priorities have gone down the drain.”
“There’s no need for the Minister to announce it if it’s just a number plate bidding. People are concerned about lorries, accidents that have caused people to lose their wives, their children. That is what you should be doing press conferences about. What happened to you, sir?”
“Let the people die by getting hit by lorries as long as you can successfully sell number plates to your beloved T20 and M40 kids. The Minister of number plates and tinting.”
“In the end, he has become the Minister of selling number plates.”
All in all, the overall sentiment from netizens is that they understand that the government needs to generate an income but Ministers should focus on huge issues such as the loss of lives and creating stricter laws to prevent that.
“Selling number plates has become a business. Because, the revenue from these sales are a lot and profits our government. That cannot be denied and it’s a good income.”
“But, please, besides generating revenue, also check on other things especially the safety aspect (of road users). (This is mandatory).”
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
