RECIPROCAL FEE MOVE ‘A LET-DOWN’
Republic was quick to react despite imposing other fees, says deputy minister
SINGAPORE’S decision to impose a Reciprocal Road Charge (RRC) on foreignregistered cars entering the republic to mirror the road charge imposed by Malaysia was described as a disappointment.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said while it was the republic’s right to make such a decision, it was a disappointing move considering the republic already had a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charge for foreign vehicles.
“When they (Singapore) first started to impose the VEP many years ago, we did not implement any immediate policy to match it. But when we introduced the road charges in November last year, they reacted quickly with this RRC.
“It should not happen. It is a disappointment,” Aziz said to the New
Straits Times yesterday.
He said Malaysian motorists who drove to Singapore had to pay a VEP charge of S$35 (RM109) per day.
He said with the additional RRC of S$6.40 (RM20) per entry, it would make it too expensive for Malaysians to drive into the republic.
“This will probably affect the number of Malaysian tourists going to Singapore since it would be too costly to drive to the republic.”
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority yesterday announced that all foreign-registered cars would have to pay the RRC when they enter Singapore via the Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoints effective Feb 15.
“The RRC mirrors Malaysia’s road charge of RM20 per entry for nonMalaysian cars entering Johor, which was implemented on Nov 1,” said the authority.
It added that the RRC would be collected in addition to Singapore’s VEP charge, toll and fixed Electronic Road Pricing fees upon departure at Tuas or Woodlands.
On Jan 9, Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan reiterated the republic’s stand to match Malaysia’s RM20 road charge on foreign cars. The minister had been saying since last year that the charge would be imposed if Malaysia’s charge was found to be discriminatory against Singapore motorists.
However, Malaysian Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai denied that the road charge was discriminatory as it would also be imposed at Malaysia’s checkpoints with Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
It should not happen. It is a disappointment. DATUK ABDUL AZIZ KAPRAWI
Deputy transport minister