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New Paper
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Paper
Malaysia's VEP enforcement kicks in with 10 Singapore drivers fined in first hour
Traffic was snarled soon after midnight on July 1 as motorists entered Johor Bahru via the Causeway, with the Malaysian authorities commencing full enforcement action on Singapore-registered vehicles entering the country without a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP). As the clock struck 12, 55 officers from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) stationed at the exit road of the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex heading toward the state capital started pulling aside cars that did not comply with the new rules. Drivers of the private individually owned vehicles entering Johor Bahru without a valid registered and activated VEP face a RM300 (S$91) fine before being allowed to leave the country. "I foresaw it (the VEP enforcement) coming, but I wasn't really expecting it to be this big," said 19-year-old Mr Safir Farhan, who was the first motorist to be issued a fine. The third-year Singaporean vocational institute student was driving the family's car to Johor Bahru for a late supper with his aunt and sister, but the trip was delayed 15 minutes as he had to settle the fine on the spot at a JPJ mobile service van parked on the roadside. Within the hour, 10 Singapore-registered vehicles were issued summonses, JPJ officers told The Straits Times. "I had registered for the VEP already and the tag is on its way being delivered to me," Mr Safir said, showing ST the acknowledgement e-mail from JPJ. "But we're okay and they're (JPJ) just doing their job," he added. The full enforcement of the rule marks the end of a grace period when vehicles were let off with a warning after the VEP was implemented on Oct 1, 2024. Singaporean Safir Farhan was the first motorist to be issued a fine at midnight on July 1. ST PHOTO: HARITH MUSTAFFA In May that year, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke had said that foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore must have a VEP tag starting from October. Mr Loke then announced on Oct 4 that enforcement action against motorists without a VEP had yet to begin, and those without the the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag would be given only a warning upon exiting Malaysia, reminding them to apply for the permit. On June 4, 2025, Mr Loke said "ample time" had been given since May 2024 for foreign-registered private vehicles to register for the VEP system before entering Malaysia by land from Singapore. The day after his comments, waves of Singapore motorists showed up at VEP application and installation centres in Singapore and Johor Bahru. On June 30, when ST visited the TCSens VEP enquiry centre at Danga Bay in Johor Bahru around 8.30pm, there were dozens of Singaporean motorists in the queue seeking assistance for their VEP registration. TCSens is Malaysia's ministry-appointed vendor for handling VEP matters. Singapore-registered vehicles seen parked outside the 24-hour TCSens VEP enquiry centre at Danga Bay at 8.30pm on June 30. ST PHOTO: HARITH MUSTAFFA Singaporean restaurant owner Jenny Chia, 53 who registered for a VEP in November but has had trouble completing the process, said she arrived at 2pm and was given a queue number hours later. "Now... there's around 70 more people in the queue." Truck driver Mr Sasman Isnian, 58, who was 15 numbers behind Ms Chia, said: "I'm not sure if I'll wait for this as it's getting late." TCSens told ST that the Danga Bay centre will be operating on a 24-hour basis from June 30. Speaking to the media on July 1, JPJ Director-General Aedy Fadly Ramli said that as of June 29, 248,504 Singapore-registered private individually owned vehicles have signed up for the VEP, with 17 per cent yet to activate the RFID tags. That figure was 231,018 on June 4, according to Mr Loke. A further 3,765 company vehicles have been issued the tags, said Datuk Aedy, adding that the JPJ has received 19,690 VEP applications for this category of vehicles so far. On June 4, Mr Loke said that company vehicles that have applied for a VEP but have yet to receive the relevant approvals will not be subject to fines. Instead, they will receive a reminder notice and be allowed to exit Malaysia. This is due to the additional steps involved in submitting corporate documentation. However, company vehicles that have not registered for a VEP must settle any compound fines and complete their VEP registration before being allowed to exit Malaysia, he added. "The majority of Singaporeans abide by the rules but for only a small number of them, we have to ensure they follow Malaysia's rules," said Mr Aedy. He added that summonses will be issued to all Singaporean motorists driving privately owned vehicles who have yet to register and install the VEP regardless of excuses, including drivers who claim they are entering Johor Bahru to settle VEP matters. "We have given enough time, in fact VEP was announced seven years ago, and during that time we have made many efforts to encourage Singaporeans to register for it. So from July 1, if they come in without a VEP registered and fixed (on their vehicles), we will issue summonses," said Mr Aedy. All enforcement operations will be conducted away from border entry points - the Causeway and Second Link - to prevent congestion, he added. Cashless-only payment for the fines can be made at Road Transport Department (JPJ) counters, JPJ mobile counters or online via the MyEG system. The RFID tag enables the Malaysian authorities to identify foreign-registered vehicles on the country's roads and track any outstanding fines for traffic offences, which must be settled before the vehicles exit the country. The enforcement move comes eight years after the VEP plan was first mooted in 2017, and implementation of the system was shelved twice, in 2019 and again in 2020. Singaporean retiree Mr Lee Kim Hock, 70, another driver who was also stopped JPJ officers, said: "My VEP is going to be delivered to me in two days. But it's okay, I'll just settle the fine."
Straits Times
18-06-2025
- Straits Times
Johor police to increase presence at seven key areas for Visit Johor 2026 campaign
Among the areas included are KSL City Mall (pictured), Angsana Mall, Berjaya Waterfront, Midvalley Southkey, and Plaza Sentosa. ST PHOTO: HARITH MUSTAFFA Johor police to increase presence at seven key areas for Visit Johor 2026 campaign JOHOR BAHRU - Seven public places around the city will have additional police presence to bolster safety and security, especially for the Visit Johor 2026 campaign , says Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar. He stated that the police aim to assure all visitors and investors that Johor is a safe place to visit. 'This omnipresence of police personnel is targeted in areas frequently visited by the public,' he said after attending the state-level monthly police assembly on June 18. Among the areas included are the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI) complex, Bazar Karat, KSL City Mall, Angsana Mall, Berjaya Waterfront, Midvalley Southkey, and Plaza Sentosa. He added that the initiative, which started on June 14, involves about 80 policemen who patrol the areas and meet with premises owners. 'This will be above and beyond our patrols conducted by our mobile patrol and motorcycle units,' he said, urging the public to reach out to these policemen on foot patrol if they need assistance. Comm Kumar said that so far, there have been no reported crime cases in all these seven places since the initiative started. He added that they hope to involve personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and marine units and expand this omnipresence initiative to all 10 districts. Meanwhile, Comm Kumar urged the public not to quickly believe information from social media or unverified sources. He noted that people these days are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for scamming. 'People need to be careful. Always verify before you transfer money, even to your friends who suddenly message you asking for money. 'Their mobile phones could have been hacked, and with their contact details, scammers could be impersonating and asking for money,' he said, adding that people should always seek direct verification from the person before making any transfers. Asked about the recent fake TikTok video of him making statements about aid channelled from an individual known as Datuk Malik, allegedly created using AI, he said investigations are ongoing. He stressed that the video circulating was manipulated and false. The video has been altered using AI to make it appear as though Comm Kumar made the statements, but he categorically denied releasing any such comments. Meanwhile, in his speech, Comm Kumar said that for the first five months of this year, the criminal investigations department achieved a 59.64 per cent solving rate of index crimes, while the narcotics crime investigation department arrested about 10,794 people and seized RM83.18mil worth of drugs. They also forfeited some RM7.49mil worth of valuables. 'During the same time, they busted 21 drug syndicates and seized some RM81.07mil worth of drugs,' he added. During the event, he also gave commendation letters to policemen and members of the media, including Star Media Group's Johor Bureau Chief Nelson Benjamin. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
