He said motorists in Bintulu should not be unduly worried about something that was never enforced by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Tiong was responding to a press release through local media by Chiew Chin Sing, state assemblyman for N53 Kidurong of DAP earlier on of the compulsory usage of a new type of vehicle number plate. Chiew was earlier received numerous complaints claiming that for those who do not comply would not be able to pass the vehicle road worthiness test by PUSPAKOM.

However, Tiong was informed about this non-existent ruling by Transport Ministry's Parliament Secretary YB Donald Lim Siang Chai when he met him at the Parliament a few days ago, adding that the public could not be forced by anyone or any company to purchase and fix the new type of number plates, which were priced at RM200.00.

He said it was mere rumour that PUSPAKOM or the Road Transport Ministry (JPJ) had enforced the ruling.  

"It is also untrue that vehicles which are not fixed by the new number plates would not be able to pass vehicle road worthiness test when they send their vehicles for inspection at PUSPAKOM."

Tiong was surprised that how irresponsible certain people could be in spreading such rumours, hoping that these people in Bintulu would refrain themselves from listening to such rumours or fooled by certain people who are making a quick buck by presentating a sales gimmick to market this product.

He also advised companies, which are selling the number plates, not to employ such sales gimmicks that could spark public anger.  

"They should be equally responsible in trying hard to sell their products. They should not cause any unnecessary panic and anger among the public," he said.

He also advised the public to report to the police or the JPJ if they
encountered those people who used scare tactics in forcing them to purchase the number plates or any car accessories' product.

Furthermore, the public must also be vigilant not be duped into buying something which was ridiculously expensive, he stressed.

He hope that the JPJ and PUSPAKOM should monitor these unscrupulous activities by certain people who have been employing scare tactics to force the public to buy the products.

He would like too to advise staffs of the authorities concerned not to be tricked in giving recommendations to the products or allowed themselves to be cohorts in this gimmick.

"Being human, it is natural for many to believe in rumours and eventually, turn the rumours into an unnecessary political issue which would benefit nobody. Being human being, we need to work hard to earn living and not through speculations or rumours, he said.