VEP Enforcement Start Sees 20% Lower Traffic From Singapore

The Star has reported that on October 1, the first day of vehicle entry permit (VEP) enforcement for foreign-registered vehicles arriving from Singapore, there was a 20% decrease in incoming traffic from the republic compared to average daily volumes.
The decline was noted by a Home Ministry representative at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex; however, the official told The Star that it was too soon to attribute the decline to the VEP.
Thousands of foreign-registered car drivers, primarily from Singapore, have been expressing their  frustration over the last few weeks regarding the muddled process for obtaining the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) required to drive into Malaysia.
For the time being, though, drivers from Singapore can enter Johor without a VEP, as the enforcement is "executed in phases," according to the Road Transport Department (JPJ). At the land borders, drivers without VEP will receive a reminder to register, install, and activate their RFID tags.
The VEP mandates that Singapore-registered vehicles register and activate their RFID VEP tags in order to control the entry of foreign vehicles into Malaysia.
Motorists who fail to comply with the new regulation may face fines, but enforcement officers have prioritized educating drivers over issuing penalties during this initial phase.
Business owners, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors that rely heavily on foreign tourists for a portion of their revenue, have expressed concerns about the decrease in Singapore-registered vehicles entering Johor.

The VEP rollout may have temporarily reduced traffic, though, as the majority of major industry participants are optimistic that once it is fully operational, Singaporeans' visits to Johor will return to normal.