Madani plates: 'If he wants to sue, let him try his luck,' says Loke

PUTRAJAYA: "If he wants to sue, let him try his luck," says Transport Minister Anthony Loke in response to a businessman’s claim for RM1.3mil in damages over the alleged copyright infringement of Madani vehicle registration plates.

Loke clarified that the authority to register any vehicle registration number is governed by the Road Transport Act 1987, which specifies that this power lies with the Transport Minister.

He added that any approval concerning Special Registration Numbers (NPI) falls under the Minister’s jurisdiction.

"There is no question of any party having intellectual property rights over any special registration number," he said.

Loke said that the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) has confirmed that copyright can only be granted for paperwork, not for the number plates themselves. He made these comments after the Cahaya Kasih Madani ceremony and the Transport Ministry's (MOT) monthly meeting.

Loke said the ministry would address the claim appropriately through the Attorney General’s Office (AGC).

Last Tuesday, Ilham Madani Sdn Bhd program director Hasan Azhari Hashim submitted a letter of demand to the government, seeking RM1.3mil in damages for the alleged misuse and infringement of intellectual property related to the Special Number Plate Program for Serial Vehicles "Madani 1" to "Madani 9999".

The bidding for the Madani Series NPI, which was held from Oct 19 to 23, generated a total collection of RM2.62 million.

In other news, Loke stated that the recall of 3,722 vehicles, including the Perodua Alza, Aruz, and Honda motorcycles produced in 2024, was started by the manufacturers, not directed by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

He explained that the ministry's latest standard operating procedure (SOP) requires that any vehicle recalled by a manufacturer must be reported to JPJ, which will then issue instructions to all affected vehicle owners.