(Kuching, 6th) In September 2024, the Ministry of Transport launched the JPJ ePlate unified license plate system, currently implemented first for electric vehicles (EVs), with plans to extend it to internal combustion engine/regular engine vehicles in the future. The purpose of this policy is to standardize license plate formats, enhance law enforcement, and eliminate illegal license plate designs.
However, Sarawak DAP Chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s special assistant, Wong King Wei, noted that a resident recently contacted him, saying he received a notification from the Road Transport Department indicating that his electronic license plate did not meet specifications.
The confusing part of this incident is that the electronic license plate in question was actually made by a vendor designated by the Road Transport Department, specifically to prevent violations.
Upon receiving the complaint, Wong King Wei immediately contacted the Sarawak Road Transport Department director and expressed gratitude for the department’s swift handling. After an inspection, no penalties were imposed on the vehicle owner, and the issue was resolved satisfactorily. He commended the department’s cooperation and efficiency.
“We need to be aware that this ePlate system is still in its trial phase. Inevitably, there will be some minor issues at the initial launch of any new policy. This is why it's important for us to maintain communication with government departments and encourage the public to offer opinions and feedback, so this new system can become more refined, clearer, and proceed more smoothly.”
Wong King Wei admits that this incident also demonstrates the DAP’s pragmatic governance philosophy. They support forward-looking policy reforms like the ePlate system, but also believe that all policy implementations must be based on the interests of the people. If confusion or unreasonable situations arise, they should be addressed swiftly and fairly.
“We will continue to cooperate with the relevant departments to ensure that the transitional period of this unified license plate system proceeds smoothly, benefiting all Malaysians.”