E-bidders 'Barred' From Dream Plate Numbers Suspect 'VIPs' Hogging Options

Bidders for vehicle registration numbers are outraged after learning that the online system has halted the bidding process, with no concrete reason or explanation provided thus far.  A number of them also expressed dissatisfaction with the JPJeBid system, which is fully managed by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). For the record, JPJ introduced the JPJeBid system in 2019, allowing road users to compete for their preferred registration number.  According to MalaysiaNow, dozens of registration numbers beginning with the letters "FF" from the federal territory of Putrajaya have been blocked. 

Wallace Choy, a vehicle registration number dealer, said the restrictions were widely attributed to the influence of a "VIP" group, as well as a lack of transparency in the system itself.  Choy of Auto Plate Division speculated that the group may have already made the minimum payment on these numbers in order to keep them out of public bidding.  "We don't know who blocked these numbers," he continued.  According to Choy, even ordinary registration numbers have been barred from bidding, and a similar incident occurred previously, involving a series of letters from states such as Johor - J - and Perak - A.

More than 60 numbers in the "FF" series have been blocked from open bidding on JPJeBid. If the situation persists, the government may lose national revenue, Choy added.

He claimed that blocking the numbers would result in leakage because road users would be denied the right to bid on the numbers of their choice.   This has raised his concerns about the system's transparency, as similar incidents have occurred in the past.

"At first, they are blocked, but after a few months, these numbers re-emerge."  He urged the authorities, particularly the JPJ and the transport ministry, to be more transparent about the vehicle registration number restriction. If some numbers are indeed barred from public bidding, he believes there should be an explanation as to who is behind it and why they are barred.