THE Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Rospiagus Taha should be a part of a special task force established to investigate allegations of misconduct related to the registration of classic number plates, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke said the special task force needed the full involvement of the RTD, as the department has information and access to the misconducts being investigated.

He said Rospiagus, who was a member of the special task force, had only been appointed as RTD director-general on June 19 and had no interest in investigating the issue.

“For sure the involvement of the RTD (in the task force) is needed, as it has the information, data and others. If the RTD is not involved, how can we access the information?” he asked at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Loke, who is DAP secretary-general, said this when asked to comment on the actions of some parties disputing the involvement of the RTD in a special task force to investigate allegations of misconduct related to the registration of classic vehicle number plates.

On Friday, Loke announced the establishment of a special task force, comprising members of the Integrity Unit of the Transport Ministry, to investigate allegations of misconduct at RTD over the registration of classic vehicle number plates.

He said he highlighted the matter after a cabinet meeting following the disclosure of documents, known as the JPJandora Papers, by Edisi Siasat.

Edisi Siasat claimed classic registration numbers were being revived and sold for hundreds of thousands of ringgit, with the activity said to be orchestrated by RTD officials.

Included was a 28-page document, which contained a list of the number plates allegedly bought back and registered for ownership, some already sold. – Bernama, September 10, 2023.