Sept 30 deadline for road tax is too soon, says Sabah MP

 

Many people are being turned away from JPJ offices because there is a shortage of paper used to print the road tax, says Chan Foong Hin. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah MP has told the government to extend the deadline for renewal of licences and road tax beyond Sept 30.

The road transport department (JPJ) had previously announced that there will be no more extension after Sept 30 and that people can renew their licences or road tax through MySikap or MyEG, or even schedule online appointments to make payments at the post office or JPJ.

Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said the government had failed to realise that many road users, especially the elderly and those living in the interior, are not proficient in the steps required to make and confirm such online bookings.

He pointed out that some of these steps involved the creation of user accounts with email verifications, and people with no emails are frustrated and fuming that they are unable to pay despite having the money.

“The Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government has forgotten the fact that Sabah has the lowest MySejahtera registration rate, due to information technology (IT) illiteracy,” he said in a statement here today.

Previously, those with road taxes expiring between June 1 and July 31 were granted a grace period, and allowed to renew their documents from Aug 1 to Sept 30.

It was also announced that roadblocks would be mounted by police and JPJ to ensure compliance with enforcement beginning from Oct 1.

Chan claimed there have also been reports of a shortage in the supply of the paper used for the printing of road taxes and many had been turned away at JPJ branches and post offices.

“This only led to multiple travels and defeats the aim of trying to reduce human footprint during this Covid-19 pandemic.

“Most road users are law abiding citizens who wish to pay up their dues to the government and have no intention to delay payment of road taxes,” he said.

Chan said the government should also think on incentivising those making payment online, by giving attractive discounts on road tax.

The delivery charges of the road tax (up to RM10 is charged), should also be absorbed by the government, he said, adding this is one way to encourage online transactions.

“Should the government intend to continue with enforcement starting Oct 1, then first make sure the public can easily renew their road tax and make payments.

“JPJ should open up walk-in appointments at all JPJ branches for road tax renewal, with strict SOP compliance,” he said.

“If this cannot be done, the government should further extend the deadline beyond Sept 30,” Chan said. - FMT