KOTA KINABALU: Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) called on the Ministry of Transport to provide a detailed explanation regarding the proposed implementation of road tax based on the primary location of vehicle usage, as announced Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
G57 Chairman Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar said the Government should clarify whether the proposal would affect Sabahans and Sarawakians who work, pursue their studies, or reside in Peninsular Malaysia while continuing to use vehicles legally registered in their home states.
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He said while the Government may have valid reasons for addressing the misuse of vehicle registrations to obtain lower road tax rates, the new policy should not overlook the interests of Sabah and Sarawak residents who are in the peninsula for employment, education or family-related reasons.
“Sabahans and Sarawakians are Malaysian citizens with equal rights to work, study and live in any part of the country. Any new policy should not impose additional burdens on them simply because of their current place of work or residence.
“The Government must explain whether Sabahans and Sarawakians who work or study in Peninsular Malaysia will be subject to higher road tax rates even though their vehicles are legally registered in their respective home states,” he said.
Zulkarnain said the key issue was not individuals who intentionally exploit differences in road tax rates, but rather how the Government would ensure that legitimate Sabah and Sarawak vehicle owners are not adversely affected by the proposed policy.
“The Government must guarantee that this group will not become victims of a new policy aimed at curbing abuse by certain parties. They should not be penalised simply for earning a living or pursuing their studies in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
G57 also urged the Ministry of Transport to conduct comprehensive engagement and briefing sessions with state governments, civil society organisations, and the people of Sabah and Sarawak before any legislative amendments are tabled in Parliament.
