The Ministry of Transport said it would continue to match any increase in toll rates imposed in Malaysia.
A report by Channel NewsAsia quoted minister Khaw Boon Wan as saying that the republic would follow its ‘long-standing policy’ to ensure that Malaysia takes into consideration Singapore’s response whenever it plans to raise tolls.
Khaw reportedly said this in Parliament, in response to a question on whether the government would adjust its Vehicle Entry Permit fee and toll charges for vehicles entering Singapore.
This, CNA reported, was in response to Malaysia’s plan impose a charge of RM20 on each foreign vehicle entering Johor from Singapore.
Khaw was quoted as saying that Singapore had ‘consistently advocated open and liberal transport links and connectivity with Malaysia’.
“The same principle will apply in our response to Malaysia’s impending road charge,” he said.
“If it discriminates against Singapore-registered vehicles, we will match it in some form. We will confirm whether and how we will respond, after Malaysia has implemented their road charge and the details become available.”
Malaysian authorities are currently conducting a trial run of the Vehicle Entry Permit System (VEP) from June 1 until July 15. The RM20 charge would be imposed from July 16, Bernama reported.
With text by Coconuts KL
