I discover that many ex-Maxis subscriber (prepaid and postpaid) 012 prefix number will port out to OneXOX prepaid and just simply top up RM50 to get stay the line active for 28 months without reload or plan subscription. My friends also did this to their few 012 numbers and then keep the sim in the drawer and subscribe new 012 number again. Reason is to get new preferred number and the old one keep in case for future will use. Also most of the students and working at overseas including those who migrate to overseas would do it too.

Maxis currently only open the 012 prefix number for their Postpaid plan Rm98 and above , no longer available for prepaid subscribers and Hotlink Postpaid too. I assume 012 prefix numbers probably left 10% to 20% unsubscribed numbers and mostly the numbers are less preferred? Each prefix numbers (exclude the 011 prefix which has 8 digits can support more) can support 10 million numbers and it is 1/3 Malaysia populations. Total Malaysia prefix telco numbers can be more than 100 millions.

Should gov make the rules that all telco only allow the prepaid user to stay active max 3 to 6 months if there is no reload or plan subscription instead allow the line to stay active 28 months so that the numbers can be go back recycle and other people can enjoy their prefix and numbers choice?
This is an assumption as I do not know the real reason why Maxis dedicated 012 prefix for expensive postpaid plans.
Just to open for discussion.

I remember during earlier stage before year 2000, there are no prepaid offered by Maxis, only postpaid and every new subscription will have to sign contract for 2 years and quite expensive that time. If not mistaken, Digi or Art 900 ( known as Celcom) were the first to introduce prepaid sim pack. I bought my first Hotlink prepaid sim pack at year 2000 and it cost almost RM300 with RM100 credit balance. During that time there I am not sure Timedotcam 017 is available or not. 
My dad own the big phone (Motorola) like pencil box size and the telco service by ATUR 450.(011 prefix with 6 digit numbers) was well known can get the line even in the forest. That time period, Maxis, Digi still not exist yet. Maybe Art 900 exist.
I still keep the number active until today since 20 years ago but port out to other telco due to unhappy with Maxis service many years ago.
Maybe those younger generation do not know that 012 prefix number is always the first choice for those afford to get the service. Second is Digi and third is Art 900 (prefer by those stay outside city due to strong signal). But now nobody bother about it  . I think when read the number, it is easy to speak out because of it follow the number sequence. If got the number 012-3456789 , I would like to own it but don't know who owns it.

My mom and sis are having 012 numbers, but both are on different Celcom telco 
And no, they aren't keeping it alive; Use as normal.

BTW whats so special about 012 number?
I used to have a 013 number, rare, not until it was killed by one of the telco (cant remember) not by my fault. Only god knows where the 013 goes to now.

Main selling point for people port to OneXOX is because of the long validity. If you seldom use, that is a good choice. Imagine to top up 365 just to keep the line active. For some telco, they have limit the max amount balance in your prepaid line. At the end, you still have to spend the credit or transfer the credit to others. Maxis did a good marketing and branding. Their quality of service and network depends the location and not all is ok.  Maxis is just like Apple brand. The technology is still far behind yet some people see it something new and high technology because of the premium feel that burn in their mind. But other brands has gone far one or two years ahead. If the location has a good network and coverage, the speed quality nobody can beat them.
No la, I surveyed all the local shop before purchase and the price is similar. But that time period, there are not many phone shops compared today. Correct me if I am wrong, initial first launch Hotlink prepaid sim pack is cost around RM120 or RM150. Then suddenly the price shot up until almost RM300 at year 2000 and after that the price slowly come down and now just RM10 only. I probably bought during the peak period. Anybody can clarify this?
Yes it looks premium because all the the time Maxis always stay No.1 most expensive telco services in Malaysia. Those who use the service is known as rich person..  
018 was owned by Mobikom 800 before Umobile.

Maxis has the exclusive rights to 012 and 017 prefix, Digi to 016, Celcom to 019 and 013 whilst 010, 011, 014, 018 are divided amongst several telco in range, like 010-2xx xxxx issuing rights belong to Digi.

People can port-out as long as the number isn’t under contract. Let say a 012 number is with XOX now and it was recently terminated. The said number automatically goes back to Maxis and will be recycled back to the system one day. Maxis once again has the right to the said number that was ported out to XOX.