Transport Minister declares the implementation of ELV policy as fake news

KUALA LUMPUR: Some time ago, a Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau reported that by the second quarter of 2019, the Malaysian government will implement the “End of Life Vehicle” policy in the country. However, Anthony Loke, the Transport Minister of Malaysia has declared the news to be fake and said that the Pakatan Harapan government does not have such plans. “That is fake news. There are no ELV policies for now. As I already said many times, there were studies before this but there is no consideration (by the government). I’m shocked at the article which was published before obtaining clarification from the ministry”, said Anthony Loke.

Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii) CEO, Datuk Madani Sahari was quoted by the daily citing that an old vehicle will have to undergo inspection in order to renew its insurance policy and road tax. Moreover, Loke also mentioned that only the Transport Ministry can announce policies of this kind and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is responsible for the implementation of these policies. “Road tax renewals also fall under the JPJ, not other agencies. I hope the media will obtain clarification from the ministry before writing such reports. I hope there will be an explanation given to the public; there are no (plans to introduce) the ELV policy for now”, Loke added.

Loke went on to say that people are needed to get their vehicle’s inspection done only in the case of failing to renew the road tax for a period longer than twelve months. Furthermore, he also cited that road tax is supposed to be renewed every year irrespective of the age of the vehicle. In October of 2009, mandatory annual inspection of vehicles older than 15-years was introduced by the former Barisan Nasional Government following the reviewing of the National Automotive Policy.

The policy, however, was scrapped just after a week of its implementation because of public resentment. When the policy was executed, 2.7 million or 14.5 % of the total vehicles on Malaysian roads were older than 10-years. According to a study done by the Maybank Investment Bank in 2017, 13.3 million or around 25 % of the total vehicles in Malaysia were older than 10-years. Earlier, in June of 2018, it was stated by Anthony Loke that the Transport Ministry won’t form a policy that would force Malaysians to scrap their old cars for money.