Businessman demands RM1.3mil from JPJ, Transport Ministry over 'Madani' plate copyright

KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman is demanding RM1.3mil from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Transport Ministry over alleged copyright infringement involving the Madani plate number series.

Hasan Azhari Hashim, who is a programme director at Ilham Madani Sdn Bhd, issued the letter of demand (LOD) through law firm Raj & Sach on Monday (Nov 4).

In the letter, sighted by The Star, Hasan claimed to be the rightful owner "Proposal Paper for the Creation of a Special Serial Vehicle Registration Number Madani 1 to Madani 9999 for Registration in Malaysia", which has been copyrighted under Section 26B of the Copyright Act 1987.

According to Hasan, he had first written to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Feb 27, 2023, to propose a collaboration between him and the government agency to sell the special plate numbers "Madani 1" to "Madani 9999".

However, on April 14, 2023, the JPJ issued a statement that the department was not releasing the Madani number series and advised the public not to believe the fake news.

The proposal was forwarded again to the government in two other letters.

After the third letter, Hasan received a response on Oct 31, 2023, that the proposal fell through as the ministry said it was unable to consider his application as existing regulation no longer permits the issuance of Special Registration Numbers (NPI) to private companies, non-governmental organisations, and other entities besides the JPJ.

Sometime last month, Hasan found out that the JPJ had issued a public notice for the special registration number series "MADANI" with a minimum bid price starting at RM100.

"You have unlawfully utilised our client's idea and copyrighted work, which constitutes a clear infringement of our client's copyright.

"As a result, our client has suffered and continues to suffer significant financial losses and reputational damage," the letter stated.

It gave the JPJ and the ministry seven days to respond to its demand.

The bidding for the special Madani series was opened on Oct 19.