BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Testing on the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system for foreign vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore via the Causeway and the Second Link will conclude next month.
Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general, Datuk Seri Shaharuddin Khalid said, the system is currently being put through the paces before its launch.
“The system is undergoing tests at both border points with Singapore. It will be finalised in a month’s time, after which it will be officially launched.
“Rigorous testing is needed as this involves heavy traffic flow from both points,” he said.
Shaharuddin was speaking to reporters after conducting a visit to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam on Saturday.
He said RTD has yet to receive any instructions regarding the implementation of the same system at the Malaysia - Thailand border.
“For the time being, we have only been told to implement it at the two Singapore - Malaysia entry points. Studies are still being done on the implementation of the system at the Malaysia - Thai border.
“There have been no directives yet regarding using the system at the northern border,” he said.
Former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had previously stated that the VEP tag system, which utilises Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID), which would be integrated with a cashless system developed by Touch ‘n Go, would be implemented in stages, supposedly from mid-April this year.
The system was introduced to prevent foreign vehicles from being cloned and later sold in the county. It was also geared towards ensuring that foreign vehicles which had incurred summonses would be barred from leaving Malaysia.
It was supposed to be expanded to not just the Malaysia - Thai border, but also the Sabah/ Sarawak - Indonesia/ Brunei entry points.