JPJ opens bidding war for ’Malaysia’ series

SEREMBAN: There will be special vehicle registration plates for all states once the “Malaysia 1” to “Malaysia 9999” series have been taken up, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said the move would generate additional income for the Government.

“JPJ (Road Transport Department) will be carrying out the bidding so that all income generated will go straight into government coffers,” he said when launching the “Malaysia” series of registration numbers at JPJ here.

Loke noted that JPJ managed to raise RM22mil from the sale of the F-series numbers alone.

“And from now on, JPJ will be conducting the bidding for special registration plates instead of allowing third parties or NGOs to do it,” he said.

On the “Malaysia” vehicle registration series, Loke said those keen to bid for the numbers could do so until Aug 15.

The minimum bid for the “Malaysia 1” to “Malaysia 10” numbers will be RM10,000 while those who wish to own other special numbers such as from 11 to 19, double 2 to 9, triple 1 to 9 and quadruple 1 to 9 are to make a minimum bid of RM2,000. The minimum bid for other popular and running numbers is RM300.

Loke said the successful bidders, whose names will be announced on Aug 29, could register their vehicles before Merdeka Day if they so wished.

No numbers will be reserved for any individual, except “Malaysia 2020”, he said.

“As Transport Minister, I will use the power vested in me to reserve ‘Malaysia 2020’ for our Prime Minister.

“All other numbers are open for bidding,” he said, adding it would, however, be up to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to accept the offer.

Loke said although bidding would close on Aug 15, the numbers that were not taken up would still be available until they ran out.

At the launch, Loke submitted a RM1,509 bid for “Malaysia 509”.

“The number is special as it signifies May 9, the day Pakatan Harapan got to form the Federal Government,” he said. “I hope, though, that there will be a higher bid for the number.”