MALAYSIA’S Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) counter in Woodlands is set to be turned into a collection point for the permit’s radio frequency identification (RFID) tag from Sep 18.
The fee to collect the tag in Singapore is S$39, payable at the counter located on the third floor of 186 Woodlands Industrial Park E5. This comes on top of a processing fee of RM10 (S$3) for the tag.
From Oct 1, a valid VEP is required for all foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore by land. Owners of non-Malaysia-registered vehicles can be denied entry into Johor or fined up to RM2,000 if found to be without a valid VEP.
The option to collect the tag from the Singapore service centre surfaced on the VEP portal on Sep 3.
TCSens, the company appointed by the Malaysian Transport Ministry to help motorists with matters relating to the VEP, said in a statement on the same day that the new option will offer a “better customer service experience to Singapore vehicle owners”.
According to a source familiar with the move, the earliest date to collect the tag from the Woodlands counter is Sep 18.
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It came after calls by drivers in Singapore for the option of getting the tags here.
At present, Singapore motorists have to travel to Danga Bay in Johor to collect it in person, or receive it by post.
Shipping charges range between RM13.60 and RM167.22, depending on the delivery address and the logistics company.
The RFID tag enables a foreign-registered vehicle to be identified by the Malaysian authorities. It can be used to pay toll fees on Malaysian highways, as well as the RM20 road charge levied on foreign vehicles when they enter Malaysia.
When contacted by The Straits Times (ST), a spokesman for Singapore firm MY VEP, which operates the counter in Woodlands, said it is preparing the team to install the tags.
The target, said the spokesman, is to be able to install the tags on up to 50 vehicles a day initially. It will extend its operating hours if the need arises to fit more cars with the tags.
At present, the counter is open on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Before the tag is issued, motorists are required to complete an online application and submit information including details of the vehicle owner and the vehicle’s motor insurance.
Users can decide how they would like to receive the tags, whether by post or in person, after they get an e-mail notification that their application has been approved.
Those who opt to collect the tags in person will be allocated appointment time slots to do so.
After the tag is affixed in the prescribed manner to the car’s windscreen or headlamp, a photo of the car showing its registration number and the tag is then uploaded to the VEP website for verification.
The motorist will be notified when the tag is activated.
The MY VEP office in Woodlands is operated in collaboration with TCSens.
On Aug 30, ST reported that visitors to the MY VEP Woodlands counter have to make an online appointment and that walk-ins would stop, in response to large crowds seeking help for their VEP applications.
Those who need help with their online VEP applications can make an appointment to visit the Woodlands counter via https://www.myvep.com.sg/appointment. The service is free.
At present, all slots for inquiries until Sep 27 have been taken up. MY VEP’s spokesman said slots from Sep 30 to Oct 4 will be released at 11.59 pm on Sep 8.
Technician Mohammad Iskandar is waiting to hear back on his VEP application made in August.
The 52-year-old, who drives into Malaysia up to twice monthly for shopping and short getaways, said he would opt to collect the tag from Woodlands.
Besides the convenience, he preferred the tag to be fitted on the back of his car’s windscreen, as he believes it will be less susceptible to vandals than being fitted on the headlamp.
Only tags collected in person from appointed locations can be fitted on the back of the windscreen. Those sent by post are meant to be affixed on the headlamp.
Banker Jeremy Ng plans to make “one last drive” into Malaysia before the VEP requirement kicks in on Oct 1.
The 46-year-old is encouraged by the move to allow collection of the tags from Woodlands. He believes the convenience is well worth the S$39 fee, but he would still hold out a little longer for the rush of VEP applications to peter out before applying for one.
Self-employed handyman Richard Lee, 58, also said the fee is reasonable, given the convenience it brings. He frequents Johor once every 10 days or so for shopping.
However, sales engineer Gordon Tiang, 49, who drives into Malaysia two to four times a year to visit his family, found the S$39 fee too steep, so he would likely choose to collect the tag from Johor. THE STRAITS TIMES
