New rules for car window tint soon

Wheel power: Loke being briefed by Proton sales and marketing vice- president Abdul Rashid Musa during the Proton X70 maiden test during KLIMS held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on, between them, is Aishah. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: New rules for vehicle window tinting will be introduced soon, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“I will announce the new policy after bringing the JPJ (Road Transport Department) amendments to Parliament later this month,” he said after launching the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS 18) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) yesterday.

Vehicle tinting guidelines were altered several times in the past under the previous administration.

Existing regulations for vehicle tinting stand from amended regulations in February 2016, which state the minimum visible light transmission (VLT) at 70% for the front windshield, 50% for the front-side windows, and 30% for the rear side windows and rear windshield.

Loke also said a proposal for electronic number plates was being considered.

However, he said the ministry had to take into account the many existing businesses and industries involved.

“But as far as enforcement is concerned, I have given a strict message to JPJ to enforce all new rulings,” he said.

Loke also said programmes and applications to promote better road behaviour would be given emphasis.

“Just now, Petronas engaged me on a programme to reward good behaviour on routes. Some of these concepts we will introduce next year,” he said.

He said there were applications being developed to test or evaluate on-the-road driver behaviour, with good drivers rewarded points which could be used for rebates on fuel or toll charges.

“My approach will always be the carrot-and-stick method. Give incentives to motivate behavioural change, and if it remains bad, then the stick must come in,” the minister added.

On the issue of older vehicles on the road, Loke said there was a need to phase them out as Malaysia did not have an end-of-life vehicle policy.

“The database actually has 30 million vehicles (registered), including motorcycles. I cannot say what the exact policy will be, but the national transportation policy will take this into consideration,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said KLIMS, which was returning after a five-year hiatus, aims to attract 350,000 visitors this time.

For details on the show, visit www.klims.com.my.-Star