KUALA LUMPUR: Many Singaporeans are still struggling to secure a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for their car to enter Malaysia before the Oct 1 deadline to do so.
According to Singapore's Channel News Asia, the situation has led many drivers to "hold off" on driving across the Causeway from Oct 1 unless they secure their VEP in time.
As a result, some are turning to other modes of transport including taxi services to cross the Causeway or renting cars to travel in Malaysia.
A driver quoted in the report, Kevin Lee, 41, said his VEP application was approved three weeks ago but he has yet to receive his radio frequency identification (RFID).
Lee, who frequently travels to Malaysia for work, said his emails to Malaysian authorities have gone unanswered.
Malaysia will enforce the VEP on all foreign vehicles entering from Singapore on Oct 1, in a bid to ensure all foreign vehicle owners comply with Malaysian road regulations.
Foreign vehicle owners who fail to comply with VEP regulations can be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed for up to six months.
Previously, CNA reported that its visits to the VEP offices in Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore over the last two weeks found them crowded.
A manager of the Woodlands office was quoted as saying that officers there were overwhelmed and even had to turn away drivers without scheduled appointments.
An official from the Johor-based vendor appointed by the Road Transport Department was reported as saying some drivers may only receive their VEP RFID tags after the Oct 1 deadline.
On Thursday, the Road Transport Department said two new locations will be opened in Johor for Singapore vehicle owners to install the VEP RFID tags.