Latest news with #Loke
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
Singapore-registered cars must have COE of over 6 months to apply for VEP, says Malaysian transport minister, Singapore News
Owners of Singapore-registered cars with a COE of six months or less will not be able to apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) to enter Malaysia, according to Malaysian transport minister Anthony Loke. These motorists will have to extend their COE in order to qualify for the permit, he told Shin Min Daily News recently. Loke explained that this policy — set by Malaysia's Road Transport Department — aims to prevent the illegal resale of Singapore cars in Malaysia as well as the manufacturing of "cloned cars" using licence plates or identities of scrapped cars. The minister compared the requirement to how passports must have a minimum six months' validity for international travel. "Similarly, if a car owner decides to extend the COE for their vehicle, they must show proof of the new COE validity before they can apply for or renew their VEP," he said. Malaysia began enforcing the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) requirement for Singapore-registered vehicles on July 1, with errant drivers facing a RM300 (S$91) fine and having to complete their VEP registration before leaving the country. Ten Singaporean motorists were fined within the first hour of enforcement, reported the New Straits Times (NST). There was also a surge in VEP applications from Singaporean motorists leading up to July 1. On June 30, dozens of drivers crowded the TCSens VEP enquiry centre at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, which has since begun operating 24 hours daily to handle the demand, reported The Straits Times. [[nid:720025]]
The Star
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Rapid Bus revs up minibus services
KUALA LUMPUR: Diesel-powered minibuses are among the latest additions to Rapid Bus' fleet serving the Klang Valley and Penang, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced. A total of 310 diesel buses will be deployed on selected high-demand routes to improve service frequency, he said. This will also be the final batch of diesel-powered buses purchased by Prasarana in line with the government's commitment to transitioning towards more environmentally friendly transport systems, Loke added. 'As the country's main public transport operator, Prasarana has played a key role in delivering safe, efficient and reliable bus and train services. 'The diesel bus programme forms part of Prasarana's long-term strategic plan to enhance its assets and strengthen operational capabilities,' he said during the unveiling ceremony of Rapid KL and Rapid Penang's diesel buses here yesterday. While manufactured by the Chinese company Higer, the components for the new buses are assembled locally in Johor. Loke said this supports technology transfer and the development of Malaysia's automotive sector. Fleet expansion: Loke (left) launching the new Rapid Bus diesel fleet. Also present are Prasarana president and group chief executive Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah (second from left) and the Transport Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan (in blue shirt). — LOW BOON TAT/The Star 'These buses comply with Euro 5 emissions standards, which are among the strictest global benchmarks in regulating pollutants such as nitrogen oxide. 'This new fleet will help improve air quality, particularly in urban areas,' he said. Of the 310 units, 200 are 9-metre minibuses designed to serve residential areas that are less accessible to standard-sized buses. Of these, 70 will be allocated to Penang to further enhance first- and last-mile connectivity. Looking ahead, Loke said electric buses are expected to be introduced by next year, with the tender process for their procurement already concluded. 'We are in the process of appointing a vendor. 'Delivery of the electric buses is expected to take around 12 months,' he said, adding that one of the tender requirements is for the buses to be assembled locally under a completely knocked-down model. While foreign manufacturers are allowed to bid, successful tenderers must have local partners or be locally incorporated entities, Loke noted. Separately, he revealed that Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) passenger services have yet to reach break-even. However, he pointed out that the government-linked company's freight services are generating profits. 'There is indeed a shortfall in operational spending. In terms of operations, we have not yet reached profitability or the break-even point,' he said, adding that the government continues to provide a funding gap allocation to KTMB to support operational costs. In 2023, KTMB earned RM112mil from cargo operations, accounting for nearly a quarter of its total revenue.
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Borneo Post
JPJ in final stages of reviewing Kejara demerit system, says DG
Aedy Fadly says the improvements that will be implemented are part of the massive overhaul of the Kejara system as announced by Loke recently. – Bernama photo BANGI (July 17): The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is now in the final stage of reviewing new improvements in the Demerit Points System For Traffic Offences (Kejara), which is a safety mechanism to take serial offenders and dangerous drivers off the road. JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the improvements that will be implemented are part of the massive overhaul of the Kejara system as announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently. 'The Kejara system is currently in the final review stage at JPJ before we take it to the Transport Ministry for consideration on what improvements will be implemented to the new Kejara system,' he said. He said this at a press conference after an engagement session with the Association of Lorry Operators and Express Tourism Bus Operators on road safety initiatives here today. Aedy Fadly said the improvement aspects in this system need to go through a certain period of time because it also involves certain legal aspects and amendments. 'Amendments to the procedures will take time because it needs to go through higher levels such as the Attorney-General and so on,' he said. Previously, Loke said Kejara would be overhauled soon because the system is currently ineffective and is deemed to be a failure. Loke said that previously, the deduction of demerit points would only be done after a traffic offender has paid the summons or has been charged in court and not when the summons notice is issued. The Kejara system is a procedure for assigning demerit points to motor vehicle drivers who commit scheduled offences under the Road Transport Act 1987 and the regulations thereunder. A total of 20 offences identified as potentially causing serious or fatal accidents and endangering other road users was included in the list of offences under the (new) demerit point system. Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said holders of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and Goods Vehicle Licence (GDL) who are involved in serious accidents will go through a certain process before a decision is made on whether the licence will be suspended. 'JPJ will not immediately suspend a licence. A show-cause notice will be issued first and an assessment will be made on whether or not suspension is necessary. The state JPJ director is authorised to make this decision,' he said. He said the suspension of licence will only involve PSV and GDL, not the Malaysian Driving Licence (LMMy) for the drivers involved. 'So far, five drivers have had their PSV licences suspended. It is not permanently suspended. It is temporary and comes with a specfic term and duration,' he said. Regarding today's engagement session, he said JPJ informed stakeholders about the progress of efforts so far to improve road safety. 'The participants have given very positive feedback and asked that JPJ regularly hold town hall discussions, which we initiated for the first time this year. 'My team and I have agreed to hold this town hall dialogues periodically at the request of the industry,' he said. – Bernama Aedy Fadly Ramli JPJ Kejara overhaul safety town hall discussions
Barnama
7 days ago
- Barnama
JPJ In Final Stage Of Reviewing Kejara System
BANGI, July 17 (Bernama) -- The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is now in the final stage of reviewing new improvements in the Demerit Points System For Traffic Offences (Kejara), which is a safety mechanism to take serial offenders and dangerous drivers off the road. JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the improvements that will be implemented are part of the massive overhaul of the Kejara system as announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently. "The Kejara system is currently in the final review stage at JPJ before we take it to the Transport Ministry for consideration on what improvements will be implemented to the new Kejara system," he said. He said this at a press conference after an engagement session with the Association of Lorry Operators and Express Tourism Bus Operators on road safety initiatives here today. Aedy Fadly said the improvement aspects in this system need to go through a certain period of time because it also involves certain legal aspects and amendments. "Amendments to the procedures will take time because it needs to go through higher levels such as the Attorney-General and so on," he said. Previously, Loke said Kejara would be overhauled soon because the system is currently ineffective and is deemed to be a failure. Loke said that previously, the deduction of demerit points would only be done after a traffic offender has paid the summons or has been charged in court and not when the summons notice is issued. The Kejara system is a procedure for assigning demerit points to motor vehicle drivers who commit scheduled offences under the Road Transport Act 1987 and the regulations thereunder.
The Star
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
JPJ in final stages of reviewing demerit points system for traffic offences
BANGI: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is in the final stage of reviewing the Demerit Points System For Traffic Offences (Kejara), which is a safety mechanism to take serial offenders and dangerous drivers off the road. JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the improvements are part of the massive overhaul of the Kejara system as announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently. "The Kejara system is in the final review stage at JPJ before we take it to the Transport Ministry for consideration," he said after an engagement session with the Association of Lorry Operators and Express Tourism Bus Operators on road safety initiatives here on Thursday (July 17). Aedy Fadly said the improvements take time as it involves legal aspects and amendments. Previously, Loke said Kejara would be overhauled soon because the system is currently ineffective and is deemed to be a failure. Loke said the deduction of demerit points would only be done after a traffic offender has paid the summons or has been charged in court and not when the summons notice is issued. The Kejara system is a procedure for assigning demerit points to motor vehicle drivers who commit scheduled offences under the Road Transport Act 1987 and the regulations thereunder. A total of 20 offences identified as potentially causing serious or fatal accidents and endangering other road users was included in the list of offences under the (new) demerit point system. Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said holders of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and Goods Vehicle Licence (GDL) who are involved in serious accidents will not get their license immediately suspended. "A show-cause notice will be issued first and an assessment will be made on whether or not suspension is necessary. The state JPJ director is authorised to make this decision. "So far, five drivers have had their PSV licences suspended. It is not permanently suspended. It is temporary and comes with a specfic term and duration," he said. — Bernama
