Malaysian minister says ‘no surprises’ in enforcing VEP scheme on Singapore vehicles

JOHOR BAHRU - Malaysia will not spring “surprises” on Singapore vehicle owners when enforcing the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Oct 3, after some 50 Singapore-registered vehicles were given warnings

since the new rules kicked in on Oct 1.

He said the second phase of enforcement for the VEP scheme, which would include giving out fines to motorists who have yet to register for the permit, will “definitely come”.

But he did not reveal a definitive timeline as he said that would make motorists delay their applications and wait until the deadline before doing so.

It was previously announced in May that all foreign-registered vehicles entering the country by land from Singapore would be required to have VEPs from Oct 1.

The VEP, which comes with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, allows the Malaysian authorities to identify foreign-registered vehicles using the country’s roads.

This enables them to track the vehicles’ traffic offences and outstanding summonses, which must be settled before they exit the country.

But three days before the stated deadline, Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) said on Sept 27 that foreign-registered vehicles that have yet to have VEP RFID tags installed will still be allowed to enter the country from Singapore, and enforcement will be implemented in phases.

A VEP can be used to pay toll fees on Malaysian highways.

Under the rules, drivers of non-Malaysia-registered vehicles can be denied entry into the country or fined up to RM2,000 (S$620) if found without a valid VEP.

Mr Loke said that before the second phase of the VEP system is implemented, reminders will be given to Singapore motorists, and he promised that the authorities “will not catch you by surprise”.

“But don’t expect (us to) not enforce forever. So, it will be enforced sooner or later,” Mr Loke said at a news conference at the Malaysian Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex in Johor Bahru on Oct 3.

“We are being very fair to Singapore... As far as Singapore is concerned, we will never give you surprises. We always give you reminders, we always give you notices,” he added.

On expanding the number of VEP centres, Mr Loke said the authorities will work with any interested parties to make the installation process easier for motorists.

He said the government is looking at allowing malls in JB to offer services to install the VEP tag on Singapore-registered vehicles, in the light of the long queues and high demand faced by Singapore motorists.

“So, you don’t have to wait at the centre. You can just go shopping and within two hours, you can come back and (collect) the car,” he said.

He added that there are malls in JB that have offered their venues as installation centres, and details on this will be announced soon.

There are currently three permit centres in the southern Johor state – in Taman Daya, Larkin and Danga Bay.

The fourth centre, in Woodlands in Singapore, operates on an appointment basis. Car owners can opt to collect the RFID tags at this location or receive them via mail.

A total of 50 written warnings have been issued to owners of Singapore-registered cars entering Malaysia for failing to apply for VEPs since enforcement began on Oct 1, Mr Loke said.

Those who have applied for the permit, but have not completed the installation of the VEP RFID tags on their vehicles, will not receive warning notices.

He said 112,658 VEP tags have been issued, of which 75,412 have been installed and activated.

He added that 678 cars have been randomly stopped and checked by JPJ officers so far at both crossings from Singapore into Johor, namely the Causeway and Second Link.

When asked when the next phase of enforcement would begin, Mr Loke said he did not want to give a definite timeline as this might slow down applications for the VEP.

“The moment we give a certain timeframe, (motorists) will wait until that particular date, only then they will do the application. So, that will again jam up our whole process,” he explained.

An estimated 18,000 Singapore vehicles cross the Causeway into Malaysia daily, making it one of the busiest land border crossings in the world.