The Malaysian government respects Singapore's decision to introduce a road charge for all foreign-registered cars beginning Feb 15.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said Malaysia will discuss with Singapore on its decision to match Malaysia’s road charge of RM20 for foreign-registered vehicles coming from the republic.

"Singapore introduced the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) back in 1973. We did not reciprocate. We introduced the road charge only recently," he said after launching a sculpture expo by Ch'ng Huck Theng in Kuala Lumpur, last night.

The VEP to be introduced by Malaysia in mid-year only requires owners of foreign-registered vehicles to pay a registration fee of RM10 for five years.

Liow said there is no discrimination on Singapore cars as the RC will also be implemented at the border with Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia.

It was reported yesterday that all foreign-registered cars will have to pay a road charge of RM20 (S$6.40) to enter Singapore via Tuas or Woodlands checkpoints.

The Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the road charge will be collected together with the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), toll charges and fixed Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) fees upon departure at Tuas or Woodlands checkpoints.

Meanwhile, Liow said the investigation on MH17 will be extended until 2018.

"We are fully involved in the joint investigation and are still going strong. We have received the preliminary report and will conduct further investigation on this."

- Bernama