KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign vehicles with dark window tints will not be allowed to enter the country.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the Road Transport Department (RTD) will be instructed to carry out the directive as dark window tints were a clear danger.
This is in response to concerns that the foreign vehicles entering the country might bring in drug traffickers and Islamic State militant group.
“RTD will take immediate action in barring foreign vehicles with dark window tints from entering Malaysia.
“Those entering Malaysia will have to remove the dark window tint of their vehicles,” he told the Dewan Negara today in reply to Senator Datuk Abdullah Mat Yassin.
The issue of car-window tinting, mainly to reduce glare and help control the temperature inside the vehicle - has been divisive for many years.
Malaysian motorists who tint their car windows and screen must adhere to Rule 5(1) and Rule 5(3) Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Glasses) Amendment 2000 - a law that has been widely ignored.
The permissible tint levels are a minimum of 70 per cent visible light transmission levels for the front windscreen and 50 per cent for other windows.
Exception is given to certain owners under Rules 11 (a) and 11 (b), Motor Vehicle Rules (Prohibition on Specific Types of Glass) 1991.
Those who are not qualified for this exception but require it for safety or medical reasons, can still apply for an exception.
Applicants need to write an application letter to the Director-General of RTD and the application must be backed with certification letter from the doctor or the police.