Vehicle Entry Permit System begins trial run

JOHOR BARU: The trial run for the implementation of the Vehicle Entry Permit System (VEP) for foreign vehicles entering Malaysia via the causeway from Singapore started at 12 midnight today and will end on July 15.
State Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said a RM20 VEP charge would only be imposed from July 16.
"Meanwhile, the registration of vehicles for VEP will be until the end of the year," he told Bernama when contacted here, today adding that 120,000 Singapore vehicles had registered under the VEP system.
It is estimated that 60% of the one million vehicles which entered Malaysia via the two entry points over the past two months were Singaporean vehicles, Hasni said.
He said a two-week trial period would be handled by the Road Transport Department (RTD) to ensure the VEP system was effective and efficient.
"In addition, the system will also detect Singapore-registered vehicles that received summons but have yet to settle the dues. This is because the number of Singapore vehicles which have not settled their summonses is still big," said Hasni.
The RTD would also provide 24-hour service counters with personnel working in three shifts to ensure the smooth operation of the VEP system.
In addition, consumers could also seek help from RTD officers on duty if there is any disruption when using the system, said Hasni.
"We expect congestion in the near future but it will not be bad. From the feedback received, motorists from Singapore are not questioning the implementation of the VEP but are more concerned of its implementation to avoid congestion," said Hasni.
According to Hasni, RTD had also roped in all its personnel and sought additional manpower to ensure the VEP system functioned smoothly. — Bernama