KUALA LUMPUR, 5 March 2020 – The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is concerned with the flow of foreign vehicles entering our country and taking passengers away from local transport operators licensed to provide taxi, van and bus services.
MATTA President Datuk Tan Kok Liang says “Malaysia is strategically located in the centre of Southeast Asia and share land borders with Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia. Motor vehicles are allowed to cross borders with conditions, such as obtaining the necessary International Circulation Permit, use within a certain radius and covered with motor insurance with the driver in possession of a valid competent driving licence (CDL) and for those driving commercial vehicles, either a public service vehicle (PSV) licence or Goods Driving Licence (GDL) or equivalent.”
“But many Thai private vehicles and tour buses have been picking up large number of passengers in Malaysia when they are only allowed to bring in tourists from Thailand. If Malaysian private vehicles or tour buses were to pick up local passengers in Thailand, we will urge the Thai authorities to throw the book at them. Likewise, we are calling on the Road Transport Department (RTD) to be stringent in enforcement, otherwise Malaysian transport operators will continue to suffer at the hands of unlicensed operators.”
“The recent special operation conducted at eight entry points in Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan at the Malaysia-Thailand border from 18 February 2020 was like a breath of fresh air. We wish to applaud RTD for taking action on 300 foreign vehicles out of the 3,039 inspected. RTD deputy director-general (Planning and Operations) Zamakhshari Hanipah said the operation also involved personnel from the Malaysia Border Control Agency, the Immigration Department, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Royal Malaysia Police.”
“In an effort to resolve the many regulatory problems faced by tourism transport operators nationwide, MATTA State Chapter members from Penang and Kedah had dialogues with officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Puspakom on 20 and 21 February 2020. The dialogues were facilitated by MATTA Vice President for Land Transportation Subramaniam Kandasamy”.
“We hope special operations be conducted regularly at all entry points including those at Johor, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak, and routine enforcements be stepped up as special operations can be few and far in between, allowing unlicensed foreign operators to rear its ugly head.”
“Strict enforcement will promote legitimate cross-border transportation, as this will facilitate licensed local and foreign transport operators to develop a healthy tourism industry. If need be, the Federal Government revisit the ‘Asean Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport’ and strengthen its shortcomings to benefit legitimate businesses”, concluded Tan.
DATUK TAN KOK LIANG
President MATTA
Term 2019 – 2021
For further information, contact:
MATTA Communications Department, communications@matta.org.my or 03-9222 1155