Loke jokes about being branded 'Number Plate Minister'
Cha Zhi Ting
Published: Nov 14, 2024 11:44 PM
Since assuming office as transport minister, Anthony Loke has overseen the rollout of special number plate series such as GOLD, FF, M_M, and MADANI by the Road Transport Department.
In making a self-deprecating joke, Loke said he was nicknamed the “Number Plate Minister” by online trolls and cybertroopers.
However, Loke is unbothered by such remarks and instead takes pride in how number plate auctions have boosted government revenues.
“Some people call me the ‘Number Plate Minister’... The trolls and cybertroopers claim Anthony Loke does nothing but sell number plates every day,” he said.
“I have a high EQ (emotional quotient) and don’t pay attention to such criticism. People can say whatever they want, but I know what I’m doing. Yes, I sell a lot of number plates, but the money doesn’t go into my own pocket - it increases government revenue.”
Loke, who is also the DAP secretary-general and Seremban MP, was speaking during an interview for a Malaysiakini Chinese-language podcast last week, which was aired on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts today.
Supporting initiatives, projects
Loke explained that the additional revenue generated from special number plate auctions goes into the government’s consolidated fund, enabling the Transport Ministry to support initiatives and projects not covered in the budget.
He cited an example of how, during festive seasons, the government sets a price cap for flight tickets and subsidises the difference for passengers if prices exceed the cap.
Anthony Loke
“Where does the subsidy money come from? The ministry doesn’t have a special allocation for this initiative. So we came up with this method, using the profits from special number plates to support initiatives like subsidies for East Malaysian students.”
He emphasised that revenue from number plates is crucial for implementing policies that benefit the public.
‘Why take to heart?’
In March, Loke noted that total revenue from number plate sales last year amounted to RM311.8 million, with RM21 million coming from special number plates.
This October, the government introduced the “MADANI” series of number plates, with one, “MADANI 8481,” fetching RM26,666.
Some have mocked this particular combination as a jab at the government, as “8481” resembles “BABI” - the Malay word for “pig.”
Loke admitted that it was rare for such a car plate number to fetch a high price but shrugged off the ridicule and memes surrounding it.
“Every series has this number (8481), so why take it to heart? If people want to interpret it a certain way, that’s on them.
“If you say many people are bidding on that number (8481) just to ridicule the government, well, you still have to pay for it.
“If you want to spend RM10,000 to buy that plate, I welcome that. You’ll need to put your money down to own that number,” he said.
Shorter and more popular
Reflecting on his experience with the various special plate series, Loke observed that car plates with shorter alphabets are generally more popular.
Based on previous reports, revenue from the “MADANI” plate series amounted to approximately RM2.62 million; the “FF” series generated about RM34.29 million; the “GOLD” series brought in around RM17.24 million, while the “M_M” series earned approximately RM21 million.
“Where does the subsidy money come from? The ministry doesn’t have a special allocation for this initiative. So we came up with this method, using the profits from special number plates to support initiatives like subsidies for East Malaysian students.”
He emphasised that revenue from number plates is crucial for implementing policies that benefit the public.
‘Why take to heart?’
In March, Loke noted that total revenue from number plate sales last year amounted to RM311.8 million, with RM21 million coming from special number plates.
This October, the government introduced the “MADANI” series of number plates, with one, “MADANI 8481,” fetching RM26,666.
Some have mocked this particular combination as a jab at the government, as “8481” resembles “BABI” - the Malay word for “pig.”
Loke admitted that it was rare for such a car plate number to fetch a high price but shrugged off the ridicule and memes surrounding it.
“Every series has this number (8481), so why take it to heart? If people want to interpret it a certain way, that’s on them.
“If you say many people are bidding on that number (8481) just to ridicule the government, well, you still have to pay for it.
“If you want to spend RM10,000 to buy that plate, I welcome that. You’ll need to put your money down to own that number,” he said.
Shorter and more popular
Reflecting on his experience with the various special plate series, Loke observed that car plates with shorter alphabets are generally more popular.
Based on previous reports, revenue from the “MADANI” plate series amounted to approximately RM2.62 million; the “FF” series generated about RM34.29 million; the “GOLD” series brought in around RM17.24 million, while the “M_M” series earned approximately RM21 million.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke (right) presenting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar with a replica of the FFF 1 plate
Loke also disclosed that the income from the “MADANI” series has not yet factored in the reservation of “MADANI 1” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
Earlier this year, Sultan Ibrahim won bids for “GOLD 1” and “FFF 1” number plates at RM1.5 million and RM1.75 million, respectively.
Following his acquisition of the “FFF 1” plate in June, the Agong expressed his hope that the revenue would be used to benefit the people.
Loke also disclosed that the income from the “MADANI” series has not yet factored in the reservation of “MADANI 1” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
Earlier this year, Sultan Ibrahim won bids for “GOLD 1” and “FFF 1” number plates at RM1.5 million and RM1.75 million, respectively.
Following his acquisition of the “FFF 1” plate in June, the Agong expressed his hope that the revenue would be used to benefit the people.
No comments:
Post a Comment