PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry has dismissed as “fake news” a news article claiming a re-introduction of a policy to do away with old vehicles on the road, saying no clarification was obtained for the report.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government had no plan to re-introduce the policy despite previous studies.
“That is fake news. There is no End of Life Vehicle (ELV) policy for now. As I have already said many times, there are studies before this but there is no consideration (by the government).
“I’m shocked by the article, which was published before obtaining clarification from the ministry,” he told reporters after launching the 73rd Road Transport Department (JPJ) Day celebration here yesterday.
The report had quoted Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii) CEO Datuk Madani Sahari as saying that old vehicles would be required to undergo an inspection before being allowed to renew their road tax and car insurance.
Loke said matters relating to the ELV policy could only be announced by the ministry, adding that the implementation of such policies would be under JPJ’s authority.
“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.
“This is because inaccurate reports will confuse the public. I hope that there will be an explanation given to the public – that there is no ELV policy for now,” he said, urging the owners of old vehicles not to be worried.
Loke said drivers were only required to go for a vehicle inspection under Puspakom if they failed to renew their road tax for over 12 months.
“That does not take into account the age of the vehicle.
“Road taxes must be renewed every year. So, there’s no issue here.”
Under the reviewed National Automotive Policy announced in October 2009, the former Barisan Nasional government had introduced mandatory annual inspections as a requirement for road tax renewal for all vehicles aged 15 years or older as a first step towards implementation of a full ELV policy.
However, the policy was scrapped after a week, following backlash from the public.
At that time, it was reported that 2.7 million, or 14.5%, of vehicles on the road were more than 10 years old.
In 2017, Maybank Investment Bank Research had estimated that about a quarter of the 13.3 million cars on the road were more than 10 years old.
Last June, Loke said the ministry would not be studying a policy to compel drivers to scrap cars more than 10 years of age for cash, following public outcry.
