Malaysia s VEP enforcement kicks in on July 1 with 10 drivers fined in first hour

JOHOR BAHRU - Traffic was snarled soon after midnight on July 1 as motorists entered Johor Bahru via the Causeway, with the Malaysian authorities commencing full enforcement action on Singapore-registered vehicles entering the country without a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP).

As the clock struck 12, 55 officers from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) stationed at the exit road of the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex heading toward the state capital started pulling aside cars that did not comply with the new rules.

Drivers of the private individually owned vehicles entering Johor Bahru without a valid registered and activated VEP face a RM300 (S$91) fine before being allowed to leave the country.

“I foresaw it (the VEP enforcement) coming, but I wasn’t really expecting it to be this big,” said 19-year-old Mr Safir Farhan, who was first motorist to be issued a fine.

The third-year Singaporean vocational institute student was driving the family’s BMW car to Johor Bahru for a late supper with his aunt and sister, but the trip was delayed 15 minutes as he had to settle the fine on the spot at a JPJ mobile service van parked on the roadside.

Within the hour, 10 Singapore-registered vehicles were issued summonses, JPJ officers told The Straits Times.

“I had registered for the VEP already and the tag is on its way being delivered to me,” Mr Safir said, showing ST the acknowledgement e-mail from JPJ. “But we’re okay and they’re (JPJ) just doing their job,” he added.

The full enforcement of the rule marks the end of a grace period when vehicles were let off with a warning after the VEP was implemented on Oct 1 2024.