MoT: Sales of special number plate reached RM 311.8 million in 2023, but money doesn't go to JPJ

Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that the total revenue from number plate sales last year reached RM 311.8 million. These included proceeds from the sale of special registration numbers (NPI) which totalled RM 21 million.

The minister said that the Ministry of Transport does not benefit from any funding initiatives derived from the proceeds of vehicle number plate sales. Instead, all revenue generated is channelled into the federal consolidated fund.

“However, for 2024, as announced by the prime minister during the presentation of Budget 2024, a portion of NPI sales will be allocated to the less privileged," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

This was in response to Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar), who sought information on the revenue generated from NPI bidding offers and details about the initiatives undertaken by the ministry utilising NPI proceeds from 2018 to 2023.

Loke explained that a portion of the proceeds from NPI sales went towards covering driving test fees for Class B2 motorcycle, e-hailing, and taxi licenses that benefitted over 40,000 underprivileged youths.

Other initiatives include a distribution of 100,000 free helmets to financially disadvantaged families, the FLYsiswa initiative that will benefit nearly 60,000 students from low-income families, especially in East Malaysia as well as financial initiatives by Perkeso for nearly 50,000 taxi drivers, rental car drivers, and school bus drivers.

Loke added that the GOLD NPI series has collected RM 17 million thus far. "As mentioned earlier, the GOLD 1 serial number was bid by His Majesty, the King of Malaysia, for RM1.5 million, contributing to government revenue. Half of these proceeds were returned to the Ministry of Transport for the implementation of initiatives as stated," he highlighted.

In response to a supplementary inquiry from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) concerning fraudulent activities related to vehicle registration number sales on social media, he urged the public to only bid through the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

"If you intend to bid, use the government's JPJ e-bidding system, avoid third-party channels. Raising awareness is vital as we aim for the revenue to contribute to government funds, enabling us to implement more initiatives to assist the people," he emphasised.