The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced the establishment of a vehicle domain number system, similar to those used in developed countries, to ensure the authenticity of domains that currently lack proper records.
The announcement was made during the launch of the government's Male' Fahi Programme, aimed at enhancing road safety and security in the Greater Male Region. The programme will address critical issues related to domain numbers.
Previously, domain records were maintained manually by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, documented in three handwritten books, leading to improper record-keeping. As a result, many domain numbers have been used illegally, with the ministry reporting about 700 fake domains in use. To address these issues, the ministry has begun providing services to valid domains on record and will take special measures to ensure the authenticity of unrecorded domains under the Male' Fahi Programme.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the national programme, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen emphasised the need to resolve the issue of illegally owned and used domains, attributing many unresolved cases to negligence. He suggested that transitioning from handwritten records to an online system could provide a solution.
The programme will establish a domain number system similar to those in developed countries and modernise the domain service to attract youth and other users. The ministry will follow three main principles, which include, releasing domains verified from ministry records, publicising domains with unverified current owners and seeking solutions, and addressing domain numbers issued without proper records to find legal resolutions.
The ministry also announced that the initiative will begin in August, with the goal of formulating and implementing the necessary laws and regulations within the next year.