E-plate technology a good idea but...

I read with interest your report “Car number plates to be controlled items” (Star, Jan 10).
It may a good idea to have the car number plates as a control item to be sold by authorized dealers appointed by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

The incorporation of the microchip in number plates is definitely a high-tech method to reduce the theft of cars, which is increasing by the day and has reached an alarming rate. The JPJ must be commended for coming with such an innovative idea.

Having said that, one must not be carried away by the misconceived notion, that by introducing the e-plate technology all our problems will be over. Technology is only a means to help us overcome problems. They by themselves are not the solution. The most important is still the human factor – dedication, commitment and good work ethics.

Unless we increase the dedication and commitment to good work ethics of our enforcement workforce, all our efforts will not significantly reduce the number of stolen cars being smuggled out of the country.
Appointing authorized dealers will result in granting monopoly to selected individuals and itself could create unhealthy practices resulting in increase in the cost of these number plates. The selection of dealers for the distribution of the e-plates must be transparent and strictly based on merit and not on favoritism.

Furthermore there is the real danger that many traders and workers dealing with the manufacture and sale of these number plates may also be pushed out of business by the emergence of the new authorized dealers. The government must protect the interests of these existing traders and ensure they are fully utilized in the new system of manufacture and distribution of the e-plates.

Dr.Chris Anthony