Malaysian authorities are confident that they will address all concerns regarding the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system by the October 1 deadline. The purpose of the VEP is to combat car theft and cloning syndicates, as well as prevent vehicles from leaving the country without paying fines for traffic offences. The implementation of the VEP has been delayed multiple times due to technical issues with the portal and poor implementation at land checkpoints during a pilot project, causing congestion.
Some drivers, like Singaporean Ben Lee, are facing issues with the VEP system. Lee was unable to apply for VEP for a used car he purchased in 2022 because it was still registered under a previous owner in the system. This poses a problem for his job as he needs to travel to meet clients in Malaysia regularly. He expressed concern over the potential failure of the system, given Malaysia’s history of postponements, and hopes the deadline will be extended to allow more time to resolve the issue.
Another driver, Mr. Seah Kim Por, is experiencing difficulties renewing his VEP application as the JPJ portal does not provide a section for users to do so. Despite sending multiple emails, he has not received any response, causing him to worry about potential travel restrictions after his VEP expires in October. Similarly, private-hire car driver Ms. Nurliyana Salleh is unable to register her car for VEP as it is leased from a rental company, which has not handled the registration process. This has left her uncertain about how to proceed, as she enters Johor Bahru weekly.
Rental companies in Singapore, such as Current Leasing, are struggling to apply for VEP on behalf of their clients due to the challenging requirements set by JPJ. Each vehicle needs to be tied to a TouchNGo e-wallet, which poses administrative challenges for companies like Current Leasing. They are unable to complete the registration process for their fleet, as opening an e-wallet account for each car is impractical. This has led to uncertainty for drivers who rely on rental companies to handle their VEP applications.
Overall, drivers like Mr. Lee, Mr. Seah, and Ms. Salleh are facing various challenges with the VEP system, ranging from registration issues to difficulties renewing applications. The delays and technical issues surrounding the implementation of the VEP have raised concerns about its potential success. The authorities are working to address these issues and clear up any worries among users, emphasizing the importance of the system in combating car theft and enforcing traffic regulations. It remains to be seen whether the system will be fully functional by the October 1 deadline.
