Singapore VEP approvals for Malaysians slow due to increased uptake – wait times now more than 35 days

The frenzy of Malaysians seeking to cross the Singapore border – which reopened on April 1 – is inflicting appreciable delays within the approval of their Car Entry Permits (VEP), that are required to enter the island republic. Bernama reported an extended queue at an Autopass issuing workplace on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Susur 1/1 in Johor Bahru yesterday, which began as early as 7am.

Based on the nationwide information company, one businessman mentioned the neighbouring nation was making it tougher for individuals to enter, including that he was advised to attend 14 days to get a response to his utility. The person, who wished solely to be often called Michael, resorted to taking public transport to Singapore to settle his banking affairs, having learnt that his account was utilized by another person to make a web-based transaction.

“I believe the Singapore authorities is making an attempt to regulate the incoming automobiles from Johor. The brand new course of, for instance, has been inflicting loads of inconvenience for us, particularly Johoreans, to go to Singapore. This undoubtedly defeats the aim of border reopening,” mentioned Michael.

One other applicant, ride-hailing driver Mohamad Faizi, mentioned his approval course of went easily, taking simply three days. “At first, there was confusion concerning the system however after that, it went easy. Fortunately, I don’t have to attend longer for approval. I utilized on-line on March 31 and acquired the approval three days later.

“Nonetheless, they [the authority] desire a legitimate and identical identify on the bike grant, insurance coverage and street tax earlier than continuing with the applying. Whoever needs to make use of different individuals’s automobiles, it [the application] might be rejected,” he mentioned, including that he was returning to Singapore to be a bus captain.

The appliance course of has additionally brought on confusion amongst motorists, with one housewife, Suhaida Yusoff, having to kind her husband’s utility on the workplace after it was rejected. “I did the web registration right here on the workplace as I didn’t perceive the method.

“I got here as early as 7am right this moment, after one of many insurance coverage paperwork was rejected yesterday. What was wanted was the bike grant and insurance coverage certificates,” she mentioned. Based on her, her husband – who works as a supervisor in Singapore – might commute day by day utilizing an Autopass for 23 years with out subject.

For its half, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) suggested candidates on March 24 to plan their entry at the least two weeks prematurely to provide sufficient time for his or her VEPs to be accepted. The company mentioned it might require an extended time to course of the functions because of the anticipated uptick, including that it will be updating its VEP Digital Providers on its OneMotoring web site from March 24 to 30.

Precise functions could take even longer to that. One individual we spoke to mentioned he was given an anticipated ready time of as much as 35 days for a response to his utility, and that some others are actually being advised to attend upwards of 40 days.

As for individuals coming the opposite means, the RM20 Street Cost (RC) exemption for Singaporean motorists getting into into Malaysia on the Johor Causeway and the Second Hyperlink might be ending at midnight, Bernama additionally reported. In a press launch, PLUS Malaysia mentioned it’s going to resume regular toll assortment from tomorrow onwards and motorists are suggested to make sure their Contact ‘n Go playing cards and eWallets have ample stability.