PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke stressed that there is no U-turn on the impending implementation of the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for all foreign vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore, starting Oct 1 this year.
"Starting Oct 1, the VEP will be enforced. The message is very clear. I hope the Singaporean drivers who come regularly to Malaysia will follow our laws and regulations.
"Just like Malaysian cars going into Singapore, we have to abide by their laws and regulations. They are expected to do the same.
"Previously, there was no way for us to track and enforce. So once VEP kicks in, any foreign car entering Malaysia that violates our laws will have to pay the fines before leaving the country," he said during a press conference at the annual general meeting of the Malaysian Driving Schools Operators Association here today.
He said this in response to reports of challenges faced by Singaporean drivers in registering for the VEP.
Loke said the Road Transport Department (RTD) is actively addressing any issues related to this matter.
"RTD has been instructed, and the ministry's land division is also involved in reviewing the standard operating procedures to resolve the issues and simplify them.
"Once we ratify that, we will make an announcement later... I will personally look into this and visit Johor Baru for inspection.
"We will soon make an announcement on improvements. So rest assured that we will try to facilitate. But do not expect a U-turn," he said.
Malaysia will enforce the VEP on all foreign vehicles entering from Singapore on Oct 1 (NST).
Loke clarified that this regulation would apply to entry points at both the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) in Tambak, Johor, and the CIQ Complex at the Sultan Abu Bakar building at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.
Loke said the process to obtain a VEP is simplified, with the VEP RFID tag delivered to applicants' homes after their application, so they do not have to come to Johor to collect their respective tags.
He said they are charging RM10 per VEP tag and it would be valid for five years.