KUALA LUMPUR – Transport Minister Anthony Loke has attributed problems faced by those requesting for physical road tax to “miscommunication on the ground” and stock issues.
He said his ministry had instructed the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in all states to print out physical road tax if requested by customers.
“Indeed, there were some stock issues and we are going to resolve them. The instruction is there and they (JPJ) have to follow. For MyJPJ digital format, it can even be printed out. There is no problem with that,” he was quoted as saying by Borneo Post Online.
For those encountering problems logging into their MyJPJ account, Loke said it was due to an issue involving the password of users.
“They need to reset the password after a few months. The system works in a way that the app will auto deactivate (the account). We are trying to upgrade to ensure smooth usage for users.”
Meanwhile, he has brought up Malaysia’s use of digital road tax and licence to its Brunei counterpart in the hope of the policy’s recognition by the sultanate.
Speaking to reporters in Miri yesterday, he said the matter had been discussed with the neighbouring country and that it was something his ministry would continue to work with to facilitate ease of movement at the Miri-Brunei border.
“Mirians need not worry about this issue because we have appealed for recognition from the Brunei Transport Ministry. We have asked that they accept our new (digital road tax and licence) system.
“Miri’s tourism development is closely related to the fact that Bruneians frequently cross borders here, and vice versa.
“Therefore with the launch of digital road tax and licence, this is something that we ask for them (Brunei) to recognise, as we also want to recognise their mechanism here,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Sarawak DAP annual convention yesterday.
He added that digitalisation is something that Asean countries should collaborate on towards moving forward together.
While 30% road users have opted for digital road tax, Loke in August clarified that vehicle owners have a choice to continue using the physical sticker.
“The (road tax) sticker is still being issued. Several branches ran out of stock and put up a notice on the non-availability of physical road tax, but it is not a policy decision. We took quick action on finding out that branches have run out of stock and will continue to order new stocks,” he had said.
The ministry has yet to set a cut-off date for the full transition to digital road tax. – November 13, 2023