PUTRAJAYA, November 7 – “If you want to sue, try your luck.”

This was Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s response to a businessman’s RM1.3 million compensation claim over alleged copyright infringement related to the MADANI license plate series.

He said the authority to register any vehicle registration is governed by the Road Transport Act 1987, and it is clear in the law that this power lies with the Minister of Transport.

Loke further explained that any approval regarding special registration numbers (NPI) is done through the Minister of Transport.

“There is no question of any party having intellectual property rights over any special registration number.

“Furthermore, we consulted with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) and the copyright refers to the documentation, not the registration numbers. Number plates cannot be copyrighted,” he told reporters after attending the Cahaya Kasih MADANI program and the monthly meeting of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) here today.

Loke stated that the ministry will respond appropriately through the Attorney General’s Office (AGC).

On Nov 5, Ilham Madani Sdn Bhd program director Hasan Azhari Hashim issued a letter asking the government for compensation of RM1.3 million.

The bidding for the MADANI NPI series, which was open from Oct 19 to 23, successfully generated total revenue of RM2.62 million. —Bernama