JPJ has appointed a vendor company, TCSens, to handle queries from Singapore drivers regarding the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) at their office in Danga Bay, Johor Bahru. When CNA visited the office, there was a crowd of around 40 people waiting, with some expressing dissatisfaction over long waiting times. Sgcarmart’s Mr Chan urged Singaporean drivers to be patient and understand that Malaysia has a different administrative process compared to Singapore.
Observers emphasized the importance of Singapore drivers respecting and adhering to the policy changes surrounding the VEP, as Singapore has also enforced VEP for Malaysian vehicles. Malaysian motorists entering Singapore are required to have a valid VEP for the duration of their stay, with fees waived for the first 10 days but then requiring payment of S$35 per day thereafter. VEP is used for urban planning, monitoring the quantity of cars entering the country, and safeguarding borders.
Mr Hezeri noted that Malaysians working in Singapore have been required to apply for VEP when using their private vehicles to travel over, and Singaporeans should understand this concept. Singapore drivers must deal with the extra enforcement layer as visitors and tourists, adhering to changes in policy imposed by Malaysia. The frustration of Singapore drivers partly stems from previous delays in the implementation of VEP by the Malaysian government in the past decade.
Malaysia initially wanted to implement VEP in October 2017, but faced delays due to technical issues with the portal and poor implementation at land checkpoints during a pilot project leading to congestion. Some Singaporean drivers fear that the current VEP implementation might also be a failure. However, Mr Chan believes that dealing with the VEP requirements is part of co-existing with a neighboring country and that Singaporeans should adhere to these regulations despite any discomfort or inconvenience.
Overall, it is important for Singapore drivers to understand the administrative differences between Singapore and Malaysia, be patient, and respect the VEP policy changes. The VEP is a necessary requirement for Malaysian motorists entering Singapore and is used for various purposes including urban planning and border security. While there may be initial frustration over the additional steps required for VEP compliance, it is essential for Singaporean drivers to accept these regulations as part of co-existing with Malaysia as a neighboring country.
