Around 40% of VEP applications Malaysia received were incomplete, delaying approval
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There was a surge of applications after he announced on May 28 that the VEP would be enforced on Oct 1.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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JOHOR BAHRU - The Malaysian government has received more than 58,700 applications for the vehicle entry permit (VEP) in the span of two months, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Aug 1.
He said there was a surge of applications after he announced on May 28 that the VEP would be enforced on Oct 1.
“From May 28 until July 31, we received a total of 58,791 applications made through the portal and physical counters. We noticed some duplicate applications as well,” he said after visiting the VEP collection centre at Danga Bay on Aug 1.
“We received more applications in the past two months than the past two years.
“Out of the total, 19,640 applications were completed, with the VEP tags collected or posted to the applicants.”
Mr Loke said that of the total applications, some 40 per cent, or 24,104 applications, were incomplete, leading to a delay in the approval process.
“This means they did not submit the required documents such as the car owner’s insurance certificate, vehicle certificate of entitlement and owner’s identification card,” he said.
“The application cannot be processed if the supporting documents are inadequate.”
Mr Loke said many Singaporeans preferred visiting the VEP collection centre in person after pre-registering to complete the application process.
At the centre, applicants would be able to collect their VEP radio frequency identification (RFID) tag upon their successful application, and have it fitted on their cars by the vendor’s staff.
He added that vehicle owners need to pay RM10 (S$2.90) for the RFID tag, which lasts for five years, and a RM29.50 service charge.
“With two months to go until the implementation date, we expect to receive another 50,000 applications from Singapore vehicle owners.
“I have also asked the vendor to add manpower and extend its operating hours to cater to the demand,” Mr Loke said, adding that he welcomed Singaporeans to apply for the VEP, and the government would try its best to facilitate the process.
From Oct 1, anyone driving a foreign-registered motor vehicle without a VEP in Malaysia can be fined up to RM2,000 or imprisoned for up to six months upon conviction.
Mr Loke said an estimated 120,000 vehicles cross the Causeway between Malaysia and Singapore daily, making it one of the busiest land border crossings in the world.
Upon implementation of the VEP, Singapore vehicles would be scanned upon entry and exit, and continue paying the existing road charge of RM20 per entry.
The Singapore Government also enforces a VEP and reciprocal road charge for Malaysian-registered vehicles. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
