Summons Discounts for Foreign Vehicles Will Be Reviewed – MOT

The Transport Ministry will review traffic summons discounts offered to foreign vehicles, says minister Anthony Loke.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will review traffic summons discounts offered to foreign-registered vehicles, including those from Thailand, to ensure that the enforcement approach implemented remains effective.

As reported by The Star, MOT minister Anthony Loke said the discounts offered to foreign-registered vehicles, including for offenses such as not having an International Circulation Permit (ICP), were granted at the discretion of the Road Transport Department (JPJ), in a bid to encourage settlement of summonses within a specified period.

Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke

The minister added that the entry of foreign vehicles into states along the Malaysian borders is very common, and foreign vehicle drivers who commit offences and settle their summonses within the stipulated timeframe are eligible for discounts of up to 50%.

"However, if this approach is found to be not as effective as expected, the ministry will review the mechanism specifically for foreign vehicles.

"We will hold further discussions with JPJ to assess the appropriate improvement measures,” he told reporters after launching the stage bus service transformation programme, BAS.My Kota Bharu yesterday (Jan 29).

Prior to this revelation, it was reported that more than 1,000 Thai-registered vans were operating at the borders in four states, with each vehicle capable of earning up to RM30,000 a month by transporting passengers.

The vans were said to ferry passengers from southern Thailand to the Klang Valley and as far as Johor, charging between RM70 and RM150 per passenger, most of whom are restaurant workers.

On a separate topic, the minister warned that stern action will be taken against bus operators, including tour bus companies, that operate without installing speed limitation devices (SLD), in line with the nationwide enforcement of the regulation.

He added that full enforcement for SLD-related offences began after the end of the first phase on Dec 31 last year, and bus companies that fail to comply will face appropriate action.

"The SLD caps a bus’s maximum speed at 90 km/h, thereby preventing drivers from exceeding the set limit. 

"This is an important measure to curb dangerous driving and reduce the risk of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles,” he said.

Loke further added that the government is also looking to enhance the monitoring of bus drivers through the development of a driver database by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). Through this system, operators can check a driver’s traffic offence records and licence status before employment, thereby improving the safety of the country’s public transport operations.

Source: The Star