RM144m to be collected annually from foreign vehicles

THE government will be collecting RM144 million a year from foreign-registered vehicles via its road charge (RC) system at the Malaysia-Singapore border.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said the expected revenue is based on an estimated 20,000 foreignregistered private vehicles entering Malaysia daily.

He said based on the ministry’s observation, there is no negative implications identified through the implementation of RC.

He said other than the RC collection system, the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) record system will also be implemented beginning 2017 to have a complete database of foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia.

“Among the positive effects that can be expected from these implementations is the monitoring of foreign vehicles entering Malaysia through its records.

“This is to ensure the safety of the country at borders and better enforcement for violation of traffic regulations,” Aziz said in response to Khoo Soo Seang (BNTebrau).

Khoo had asked the ministry to state the implications of the RC system and its total collection since it was implemented in stages from Nov 1.

“For now, foreign-registered vehicles (entering Malaysia) are not recorded here, and this among others, causes vehiclecloning problems.

“The vehicle owners also tend to escape from legal action after committing an offence, whether it a traffic offence or over-staying in the country,” Aziz said.

He also said the non-existence of records of foreign-registered vehicles have caused problems in identifying offenders who enter and exit the country.

“With the implementation of these systems, the government can trace and prevent foreign-registered vehicles from not paying outstanding summons,” Aziz said.

He said the National Blue Ocean Strategy would also allow the database of vehicle entries to be shared with other enforcement authorities like the police and Customs to strengthen border security.