S'pore drivers worry despite assurance they can enter Johor without VEP

They throng centre in Danga Bay to get permit, unconvinced about leeway given

- Lok lian Wen and Elaine Lee

Motorists from Singapore continued to throng the TCSens centre in Danga Bay on Sept 28 to secure a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), despite assurances that they can still enter Malaysia from Oct 1 without one.

Drivers whom The Straits Times spoke to were fraught with worry and uncertainty despite clarification on Sept 27 from Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) that they will be allowed into Johor even if they do not have VEP tags.

However, the agency, which is responsible for the enforcement of the VEP, said motorists will be given reminders to register, install and activate their radio frequency identification (RFID) tags upon entering Johor's two land checkpoints as enforcement is implemented in phases.

They can also be given a warning when they leave Malaysia, along with reminders to install the tags as soon as possible.

Many motorists, however, were unconvinced about the leeway given to them if they were to drive to Johor without a VEP.

Ms Loi Mei, who is in her 50s, said she was at Danga Bay to find out whether her tag had been mailed to her. She added that she has been waiting for weeks, way past the 10 working days she was told it would take for the VEP to reach her.

She said: "What does warning mean? Are you going to warn me once, twice? What if I need to come into JB every week? Am I going to accumulate all the warnings into a fine?"

Civil servant Simon Lim, who declined to give his age, also voiced his frustration.

He said: "We are doing something; we submitted documents, asked for advice, but there was no reply. The ball is not in our court.

"So, if you want to issue me a warning for things that are not our fault, it's not right."