PETALING JAYA: To address several questions over the new announcement of digitalising road tax and driving licences, Transport Minister Anthony Loke has posted an explainer on Facebook.
According to Loke, it is not compulsory for road users to download the MyJPJ mobile app.
“It is just an option to obtain digital copies for road tax and driving licences,” said Loke on Friday (Feb 10).
Loke also said digital road tax and driving licences are not compulsory, adding that senior citizens without smartphones and those living in places without Internet coverage can still physically display their road tax and licence.
“Don’t worry, the digital format isn’t compulsory. They still can obtain physical road tax and driving licences from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) if needed,” added Loke.
Loke also said those who did not download the MyJPJ app or failed to show digital road tax to the authorities will not be fined.
“The authorities can verify the status of a road tax and licence through the authorities’ internal system,” added Loke.
He also said the digitalisation of road tax and driving licences does not mean that renewals will be free of charge.
“It (renewing road tax and driving licences) must be paid. The physical (road tax) sticker isn’t compulsory,” added Loke.
Loke also said Malaysians who are driving cars that are not owned by them will not be penalised.
“Just print the digital road tax in paper and keep it inside the car.
“Even if you cannot show proof, it is not an offence. The authorities can check the needed details in their gadgets,” said Loke.
Loke also addressed the hiccups where many Malaysians could not log into the MyJPJ system.
“Just like any new system, there will be an influx of people registering at the same time. The traffic was very high,” added Loke.
He also said his ministry will do their best in providing clarity regarding this new announcement.
At the same time, Loke also said that change will take time and there will be those who disagree with new changes.
“I respect all views and I will try to manage this change the best I can.
“Together with my team at the Transport Ministry and the JPJ, we will try to address any weakness that arises from this change,” said Loke.
Earlier, in a statement on Friday (Feb 10), Loke said that an in-house pilot project is underway to begin the use of digital display mode of road tax and driving licences.
Both digital versions of driving licences and road tax can be applied through the JPJ website at http://public.jpj.gov.my or MyJPJ app.
With the digital road tax, Loke said vehicle owners can do away with the display of the hardcopy of the road tax stickers.
Loke also said those who are not ready to go digital can still display their road tax stickers during the interim period until the digitalisation phases are fully completed.
