JPJ’s digitalisation plan possible answer to cheaper RFID stickers

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is reportedly studying new technology for vehicle registration, such as RFID tags, QR codes, and chips. This could mean that JPJ is the answer to cheaper RFID stickers.

Over the past month, the topic of RFID has been a hot topic within the Malaysia social media circle. The most recent topic regarding the new-ish toll payment method is the RM 35 selling price of the stickers.

Experts have even weighed in on the matter, accusing Touch ‘n Go (TnG) of abusing their monopoly status on toll payment in the country and forcing consumers to pay exorbitant prices for one RFID sticker.

However, with JPJ looking into implementing new technology as part of their digitalisation plan, it would spell the end of TnG’s monopoly in the business.

Also read: Touch 'n Go under fire as experts call for halt to its monopoly

It would also assist the government and the Malaysian Highway Authority’s (LLM) blueprint to implement multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) by 2025.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong told Free Malaysia Today (FMT): “The RFID system will allow enforcement to be carried out through automation to ensure accurate readings (of vehicle registrations) and, in turn, minimise costs.”

Also read: Works Ministry to PLUS and TnGo: Justify charging RM 35 for RFID stickers

“If JPJ adopts the RFID technology, we will ensure that it is compatible and can be used for other purposes, including toll payments, to avoid the need to have many RFID tags on one vehicle,” he added.

“We will bring it to the Cabinet for approval. We hope to provide a solution to the LLM and the rakyat.”

Also read: PM: Highway users should not be forced to use RFID

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof also confirmed the plan with FMT. In a text to the news portal, he revealed that the Works Ministry is involved with the discussions.

As of yet, it is still unclear whether the Ministry of Transport (MoT) will approve of JPJ’s proposal to standardise the production of number plates to support the automated number plate recognition (ANPR) technology for MLFF.