YOURSAY | ‘The biggest robbers are those VVIPs shielded behind heavily tinted vehicle windows…’

Police oppose new rule for tinted car windows

Vijay47: As this is less a transport issue than a traffic-security matter, it is somewhat surprising that the police were not consulted on the decision to allow dark tints. However, the relaxation is not across the board, only for the rear window.

Traffic chief Azisman Alias is disappointed that with the dark tints, the police will not be able to check on "minor offences" like not using the back-seat belts.

I can understand your intense disappointment, sir, but perhaps you can now concentrate on serious offences like crazy speeding on the highways.

You may be surprised to learn that some buses and lorries, not many - just a few, like 93 percent - are (Formula One racer Lewis) Hamilton clones and use our roads like racing circuits.

You might also want to tone down on those long, friendly chats by the roadside with traffic offenders. Police courtesy is good, but people may have the wrong perception.

New Beginning: Azisman, what enforcement are you talking about? Have the police been enforcing all the traffic laws apart from issuing summonses for speeding?

How about using handphones while driving, running red lights, and reckless driving? And the list goes on.

Speaking about seat belts, how many have been summoned for not wearing rear seat belts, children seated on the lap, et cetera?

The minister has been talking about the new rules for tinted windows for some time already. Where were you?

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, next please do something about standardising the licence plate. So many VIP cars are flouting the law like nobody business while the police and the Road Transport Department seem to be turning a blind eye to it.

All other Asian countries have standard licence plates issued by the government. Why can't we do the same here?

Awang Top: I agree with the traffic police. With darker windows, how would you inspect suspicious activities or persons in the car?

If people with skin sensitivity want to be in the car, figure out ways to shield yourselves. We are talking about safety and security here.

Amateur: I opine the new rule is a win-win scenario. Apart from the application fee of RM50, the government earns RM5,000 biennially except for those with medical waivers.

As details of applicants are known, the government could trace them should the situation warrants.

Drivers need not worry about the previous problem of having to ‘settle’ on the spot if stopped by relevant authorities.

Anonymous_be07867c: How many millions from a population of 30 million have insisted on the darker tints because of the skin problems? This transport minister seems to be another idiot to come to this decision.

Do you, the minister, realise that you are helping robbers, drug pushers and many others who break the laws to easily escape from the police dragnet?

Police roadblocks can cause massive jams because every vehicle will have to wind down the rear windows for police to check at the roadblocks.

Who suggested this stupid ruling in this new government? We are getting fed up with all kinds of nonsense going on with the Harapan government.

The Wakandan: Whether tinted or not, it does not make any difference. A person who wants to go incognito would find means to do so. He can use a completely opaque van.

Tint does help in a tropical climate like ours - it keeps us cool and comfortable. Comfort – that's why we buy cars. Of course, for other practical reasons like a mean of transport as well.

People should not make a big deal out of this issue. It is not practical, for one. If the authorities are really efficient, no amount of tint will allow crooks to escape. Do not blame the tint, for heaven’s sake.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr 2019: Well done to Transport Ministry on the new guidelines.

Before this, all the self-styled VIPs and cronies drive around in heavily tinted cars, but normal citizens were not able to. The ministry has just made it a level playing field.

It is not for the police to object. They should concentrate on other motoring offences such as not paying road tax, speeding, blocking traffic, and so on.

The rear seat belt is a minor issue. If people sitting in the back gets injured during an accident by not wearing seat belts, it serves them right, no?

Xman: I don’t agree with fully-tinted windows. It is not about seat belt or anything else, but purely for crime prevention purpose.

The government should reconsider the fully-tinted policy. With the rise of crime and terrorism, this suggestion needs to be revised.

Mohd Isnin: The ministry has implemented the norm followed by most countries, including the US and the UK. The police there have no issues, so what's the problem here?

Don't just oppose because it is a policy implemented by the Harapan government. The cases of Indira Gandhi’s daughter and pastor Raymond Koh remains unsolved even with full visibility.

Anonymous_d99abf43: I will challenge anyone to identify anyone at the back of the car with the current rules of 50 percent visible light transmission under bright sunlight.

Look around you, there are so many cars with heavy tints and my question is, how many of those are involved in criminal acts? None!

Maybe we should have a law to enforce bright light in the car at night so police would be able to identify criminals?

My Understanding: I hope the transport minister has done due diligence and consulted experts, such as forensic scientists and other experts in and outside the country.

To implement a new rule based solely on feedback from men and women in the street is very unprofessional, to say the least, especially for matters that have security implications.

Wira: The biggest robbers are those VVIPs shielded behind heavily tinted vehicle windows and yet we worry about petty crimes.

They steal in billions, don't you agree?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.