KUCHING: The Road Transport Department (RTD) is proposing to implement the Vehicle Entry System (VES) at the Sarawak-Brunei entry points for the purpose of registering foreign vehicles entering the state.
Sarawak RTD director Mohd Syafiq Anas Abdullah said the matter was still at the headquarters level discussions together with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and
the Brunei Darussalam Land Transport Department, and will also depend on the Transport Minister’s approval.
According to Syafiq, at the moment foreign vehicles are free to enter the state through these entry points (Sarawak and Brunei).
“But due to several issues such as foreign vehicles being abandoned in the state and unpaid summonses issued to Brunei vehicle owners, the registration system is seen as necessary,” he pointed out.
Director-General of RTD Malaysia recently made a- three day visit to Miri, Lawas and Limbang to check on problems faced there.
Syafiq added that if the VEP was to be implemented then all Brunei vehicles entering Malaysia must be registered.
“The good thing is that in terms of enforcement, we will be able to trace any foreign vehicle that have outstanding summons and also to ensure vehicles entering Malaysia comply with our traffic laws,” he said to reporters after presenting 300 packets of “bubur lambok” to JPJ staff, media members and its customers here yesterday in conjunction with JPJ’s 73rd anniversary celebration.
“Brunei has already implemented the VES for registration of foreign vehicles entering the country, without charging any fee, so that is why we feel it is time for us to do the same so that foreign vehicles entering the country will go through the registration process,” he said.
For enforcement purposes, Syafiq said JPJ Malaysia is in the midst of a strategic partnership with the Brunei Land Transport Department.
“We have held three meetings and discussions led by the director-general of JPJ, first in Brunei last year and the latest by JPJ enforcement director in Miri and Limbang, recently.
“Among the issues discussed were foreign vehicles abandoned in the state, unpaid summonses and issue of Malaysia’s tinted cars entering Brunei.
“If VEP is implemented summonses issued by JPJ, PDRM and local authorities especially in Miri and Limbang can be reduced.
“JPJ headquarters is in discussion with PDRM to look into the issue and will propose it to the Brunei Land Transport Department for mutual benefits,” he said.
Syafiq disclosed that JPJ did not have many outstanding summonses but PDRM and local authorities have many.
He said it was estimated that between 400 and 500 vehicles from Brunei entered the state through Ba’Kelalan Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) in Limbang monthly and mostly four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Meanwhile, Syafiq said JPJ operations at Ba’Kelalan CIQ in Limbang (Malaysia-Indonesia border) will be held from May 15.
Syafiq said at the Tebedu, Biawak and Lubok Antu entry points, JPJ would be issuing International Circulation Permit (ICP) for the purpose of registering any foreign vehicle entering the state.
On another matter, Syafiq said so far there is no report of any Sarawak JPJ staffers getting involved in any wrongdoings, adding that they are always reminded to uphold honesty and integrity while performing their duties.
