MITI To Look At New Measure For Aged Cars

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) says it will look at a new measure in place of the Vehicle End of Life Policy plan it shelved Friday.

"It is clear the move is not popular. The government is acutely aware of the problem of the people. At the same time we will still give importance to the safety of the people.

"Hence, we will be replacing the policy with a new measure that will not burden the people," its minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.

MITI will be discussing with the Road Transportation Department (JPJ) to identify alternative measures.

"We will discuss with JPJ on how safe the (old) cars really are on the roads," he said after launching the Malaysia-Business-CIMA Enterprise Governance Awards 2009 here Friday.

On October 28, MITI had announced the new National Automotive Policy (NAP) which included the plan for Vehicle End Of Life Policy which will see the introduction of a mandatory annual check-up of cars 15-years and above as a requirement for road tax renewal.

The plan was shelved today following the feedback of the people.

Meanwhile, commenting on a follow-up meeting today on the 2010 Budget, he said all the proposals announced on Oct 23 will be implemented.

"In the past, we have made suggestions that do not get implemented for months. We are confident that all the suggestions of the 2010 Budget will be carried out."

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will personally be monitoring the progress of the 2010 Budget, which is expected to bring benefits and prosperity to the people.

-- BERNAMA