Yesterday, Oct 7, 2015, it was reported that the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system which was supposed to be implemented by end of the year has now been deferred, with no new date being set.

This is not the first time the scheme has been delayed. The VEP which charges any foreign-registered vehicle RM20 (S$6) to enter Malaysia per entry was supposed to be in operation on Aug 1. It was then postponed to Oct 1 due to ‘technical reasons’. It was then reported last month that the cutoff date for Singapore-registered car owners would be pushed to the end of the year, and now another delay with no set date.

Already it has been reported 200,000 Singapore-registered vehicles had registered with the relevant authority for the VEP.

I view this with extreme disappointment as the constant delays show the federal and Johor state governments are not ready at all to launch and implement this VEP system.

For a massive project such as this VEP, I would have expected the government to have been better prepared and have given thought on how to execute and implement this system a long time ago. Now it seems the move to implement the VEP is more of a ‘tit for tat’ move for Singapore increasing their VEP from S$20 to S$35 in August this year.

The constant postponement will undoubtedly:

(a) Affect our country’s image both domestically and internationally as the general perception of our government’s preparedness and execution efficiency will be called into question;

(b) It will also affect the Johor state government’s projected revenue as it has been agreed that 25 percent (RM5) of the fees collected will be given to the state government.

It has always been my stand and Johor PKR’s stand that we support the implementation of the VEP system but on the condition that the government should exempt Malaysians driving Singapore-registered car from VEP charges.

Any further charges on Malaysians working in Singapore would only increase their financial burden as they are already forced to commute daily to work in Singapore in search to better livelihood for them and their families, especially in the current economic situation. I am sure any money saved from the VEP charges will be pumped back into our local economy.

To prevent abuse, I suggest the exemption for Malaysians should only be given one return trip per day. They have to register for the exemption but if they choose not to then it is their choice and decision.

Finally, it has also been reported that our Johor menteri besar would be discussing this VEP matter with the prime minister next week. With so many delays, it beckons us to ask, would the VEP system be ‘stillborn’? If not, then I hope there would be no further delay and no reduction on Johor’s 25 percent allotment.

Johor PKR would continue to observe the development of the VEP matter and reiterate, we hope the Johor government’s usage of the VEP funds would be put to good use and with transparency.

JIMMY PUAH WEE TSE is deputy chairpeson of Johor PKR-cum-state assemblyperson for Bukit Batu.