By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 13: Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin has urged the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to temporarily use the old system to enable motorcycle owners to renew road tax without much hassle.
This following a teething problem with the new system, which was still unstable, he said, while adding that the problem caused much inconvenience to motorcycle owners in the rural areas.
He added that the new system, which was implemented in Oct 25, required owners of older motorcycles to physically produce their bikes for inspection, where data will be recorded for the renewal of road tax.
“The new system can start with the new bikes but let the old bike owners renew through the old system by producing important documents at the JPJ offices.
“What is the difference with looking at the motorbike and looking at the documents and keying the information into the system,” he told a press conference at his office at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today.
Assistant Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, state JPJ deputy director Erick Jusiang, as well as representatives from the Customs Department, Puspakom and Motor Traders Association were present.
Lee said the need to come out with a practical solution that will not inconvenienced the people must be resolved, in view that the situation in Sarawak is different from that of Peninsular Malaysia.
“Many motorcycles are used in the rural areas in villages, longhouses and plantations. So how do you expect owners from remote areas like Belaga, Ulu Baram and Marudi to bring their bikes, which information are not captured in the system, to the nearest JPJ offices to be checked,” he explained.
He urged officers from federal level to come down personally to Sarawak to understand the problem faced by the people, as they may not have a clear view of the situation down here especially geographical challenges.
Lee said he will raise this issue with Transport Minister Anthony Loke when meeting him next Monday.
“The basic thing is we don’t want to cause inconvenience to the people as it was impractical for people to physically bring the vehicles down for inspection to renew road tax, insurance and so on,” he reiterated.
While it was good to have a system in place, Lee noted that there was a minor implementation problem and hopes it can be resolved within this month. — DayakDaily
