Malaysia to introduce RFID number plates

THE ROAD TRANSPORT Department of Malaysia is set to introduce RFID licence plates in a bid, it says, to stop car thieves thieving cars.

Each plate will contain information about the vehicle and its owner which means that coppers can scan cars at roadblocks and see if the car has been stolen.

Currently your average car tea leaf will swap the licence plate when they nick a motor, however this might not be such a good idea if they have RFID plates.

Not only will the data have to match the plate but the owner of the car should be nearby in case the copper wants to check the driver's identity.

According to the New Straits Times, the system will be implemented next year in stages with new cars being the first to sport them followed by older vehicles.

Also, from now on, the font and size of letters and numbers will be standardised on the e-plate, a spokesman told the paper. So e-plates like Li77l3 Kn08 may not be so sought after.

Of course if your RFID system breaks down you could find yourself pulled from your car by a few coppers who think you might have stolen your own car. µ