The implementation of Malaysia’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) policy on October 1st had a quiet start, with drivers entering Johor from Singapore reporting lighter traffic at the Woodlands Causeway. Many drivers who did not have the required VEP said they did not receive any reminders from Malaysian authorities. Despite the JPJ’s announcement that drivers without a VEP would receive a reminder upon entry into Malaysia, several drivers reported not receiving any warnings at the Causeway.
According to a senior official from Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ), drivers who have received a warning for not having a VEP may still make subsequent trips into Johor. This is due to the Ministry of Transport not imposing any restrictions barring drivers without a VEP from entering the country. The official, who oversees operations in Johor, declined to be named and CNA has reached out to the ministry for clarification on the matter.
On the morning of October 1st, CNA spoke to a dozen drivers who entered Johor from Singapore without a VEP. These drivers confirmed that they did not receive any reminders or warnings at the Causeway. Mr. Paval Khemlani, who crossed the Causeway to go to Kuala Lumpur for a business meeting, stated that he did not have a VEP installed and did not receive any reminders from Malaysian authorities upon entry.
The VEP policy requires drivers to have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag installed in their vehicles to enter Malaysia. Despite the lack of reminders on October 1st, drivers without a VEP are still expected to comply with the new regulations. The JPJ had previously announced that drivers without a VEP would receive reminders upon entry into Malaysia and warning notices before leaving the country – however, this does not seem to have been the case for all drivers on the first day of implementation.
As the VEP policy continues to roll out, it remains to be seen how Malaysian authorities will enforce compliance among drivers without a VEP. With no official restrictions barring drivers without the permit from entering the country, drivers like Mr. Khemlani may continue to cross the Causeway without facing immediate consequences. The lack of reminders and warnings on the first day of implementation raises questions about the effectiveness of the VEP policy and the consistency of enforcement by Malaysian authorities.
