THE customised Madani number plate exercise has already been a bit of public relations disaster.
Firstly, it was pointed out the RM10 mil spent on outfitting a facility to produce these white number plates specifically for electric vehicles (EVs) was wasteful considering the maximum output was a mere 200 plates per day.
It was also argued that the non-uniform implementation of these plates for EVs also highlighted a lack of systematic planning.
Although all EVs are supposed to display these new-fangled number plates, it appears there are still EVs with the old black registration plates.
Netizens also had a field day when the government invited tenders for “MADANI” 1 to 9999. Quite a few even wondered if MADANI 8481 would be available given the numbers bore close resemblance to “BABI” (swine in Malay).
There was also dark murmurs over MADANI 47 in relation to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi’s infamous dismissal not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 47 counts of corruption and money-laundering charges.
Now it has come to pass that there was actually a successful bid amounting to RM8,888 for that “MADANI 8481” number plate.
This successful bid was highlighted in a Facebook post by digital creator Ezad Zainal who cheekily proclaimed that it was a shame that the plate has not been seen publicly. “What a waste that it was bought only to be kept,” he teased in a FB post barely able to contain his mirth.
The post has already generated over 6.3K likes, 373 comments and 364 shares at the time of writing with many relishing the opportunity to stick the boot into the Madani administration.
One netizen highlighted a vehicle bearing the license plate – PMX 8481 – which elicited plenty of guffaws given the poster and his followers are mostly from the opposition camp.
Some netizens surmised that the successful bidder was very likely a walaonon (slang for Madani government backer) who wanted to take the number out of circulation.
One commenter contended that it was sort of fortunate that registration plates did not feature names, otherwise many would have bid for “ANUAR 8481”.
Underlining this particular demographics’ distaste for DAP, a comment featuring a motorcycle bearing “DAP 8481” also brought about lots of likes with the commenter hinting “this license plate would be worth RM100k”.
A solitary Madani voice did try to argue that this was the usual game played by opposition supporters – “recycling old material which are lacking in substance”.
Regardless of whether the issue has substance or not, it has to be said that this is far preferable to lies, misinformation and slander that regularly colours local politics.
FocusM believes that this should be treated as a mere meme; take it with the right humour given there are many more pressing issues that needs debating and the public’s attention.
The merits of “MADANI 8481” is not one of them. – April 10, 2025
