“I will announce a new policy very soon, after proposing the JPJ (Road Transport Department) amendments to parliament later on this month,” Loke said after launching the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS 18), at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today.
He added that there were also proposals for electronic number plates in the pipeline.
However, the bigger challenge for the latter, he pointed out, was implementation, taking into account there were a lot of existing businesses and industries involved.
“But as far as enforcement, JPJ is under the ministry. Therefore, I have given a strict message to JPJ to enforce any new rulings,” he told the press.
The minister was responding to questions on spotty enforcement of tinting standards, as well as non-standard number plates, which he acknowledged were legacy issues.
Loke also toured the exhibition, which showcased new technologies on vehicle safety, including programmes and applications to encourage better road behaviour.
Loke speaking at the opening of KLIMS;18.
“Just now, Petronas engaged me, they have a programme to reward good behaviour on routes, and some of these concepts we will be introducing next year,” Loke said.
He pointed out that currently, there were applications on development to test or evaluate driver behaviour on the road that could earn points, and this would entitle well-behaved drivers to benefits such as rebates on petrol or toll charges.
“My approach will always be the carrot and stick approach, give ‘carrots’ to motivate behaviour change, but if the behaviour remains bad, then the 'stick' must come,” Loke said.
The minister was referring to disincentives such as the demerit system and linking the settlement of JPJ summonses to renewing one’s road tax and vehicle insurance, and the issue of fine-tuning its implementation.
In response to a question on Malaysian roads being saturated with old vehicles, Loke said there was a need to phase out older vehicles, but there should be a transition period.
There should also be a plan formulated to incorporate new technology trends such as autonomous cars and electric vehicles, as Malaysia did not have an end-of-life vehicle policy, with 15mil cars already registered in Malaysia.
“The database actually has 30mil vehicles, including motorcycles... I cannot give an exact answer on what the exact policy will be, but the national transportation policy will take this into consideration,” Loke said.
Other issues Loke has raised in the past week included the rampant use of aftermarket high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.
Recently, Sinchew Daily reported Loke as saying that the use of illegal HID headlamps would be banned for safety reasons. As they are up to three times as bright as halogen lights, and often fitted without auto self-levelling, they tend to blind oncoming traffic at night.
Those found using such lights would be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed up to six months. However, factory-fitted HID lights that are type-approved are allowed.
KLIMS 18, organised by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA0, returns after a five-year hiatus, and aims to attract 350,000 visitors, said MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.
Aishah was also thrown a friendly gauntlet by Loke, who hoped to see the motor show being held every two years, rather than three if the visitor number did hit 350,000.
