'Cash for clunkers' study called off following public outcry

A government study for a possible ‘cash for clunkers’ programme has been postponed indefinitely following public outcry, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.

Media reports on June 13 quoted Loke saying that the Transport Ministry was studying the feasibility of a cash rebate system to reduce the number of old cars on the road.

Loke said his statement was misconstrued to mean that the system would be implemented, which resulted in criticism against him on social media platforms.

He said he was accused of being callous towards those who have spent nine years paying instalments for their car loans, and then be forced to scrap their car on the tenth.

“That is not what I meant. I’ve never said that we would implement it, I have only said that we would study it.

“But in view of the opposition towards the programme, I ordered for the study to be postponed indefinitely during the Transport Ministry’s post-cabinet meeting,” he told reporters during a press conference in Putrajaya today.

“That means we would no longer need to study the programme’s feasibility. It seems that we are not yet ready, and I feel that the implementation is too difficult for the time being.

“So, there is no need for us to waste time studying this programme. This programme is called off.

Deregistering old cars

On a separate matter, Loke said the ministry is considering ways to deregister vehicles that are no longer being used or have been left abandoned.

This is to tackle the issue of old vehicles that are left to rust in public places, such as residential areas.

Loke pointed out that there is currently no system to deregister vehicles, adding that the implementation of such would make it easier for local governments to scrap these vehicles. - Mkini