JB malls to house more VEP centres, with 50 Singapore drivers warned for failing to register: Malaysia transport minister

JOHOR BAHRU: Only Singapore drivers who have not registered for the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) will be issued warning notices at the border, said Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke on Thursday (Oct 3). 

Those who have registered and are waiting for their radio frequency identification (RFID) tags will not be issued warnings.

Drivers who have received warnings may re-enter Malaysia during the current phase of VEP enforcement, he affirmed.

Since Oct 1, the Malaysian authorities have checked 678 cars and issued 50 warnings in the form of slips of paper to drivers leaving Malaysia for Singapore, he said. 

For cars entering Johor Bahru, a reminder flashes on LED screens adjacent to the immigration booths. 

Mr Loke was speaking at a press conference at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar immigration complex where he observed Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers enforcing the VEP policy. All foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia by land from Singapore are required to use VEPs from Oct 1. 

“I hope that the Singaporean car owners and car drivers who are coming into Johor Bahru understand firstly, the implementation of the VEP in Malaysia has been announced months ago, but we are taking a very gradual approach in terms of the enforcement,” said Mr Loke. 

“For those car owners who have already applied, they have nothing to worry (about), because our gadgets will know whether they have applied or not. We will not issue you any warning notice. We will not issue you any reminder. 

“The warning notice will only be given to those car owners who have yet to do anything, have yet to submit any application,” he added.