I thought they scrapped the plan:

JOHOR BARU: Special gantries and electronic payment equipment have been installed at both the Causeway and Second Link to collect the RM20 levy on Singaporean vehicles entering Malaysia beginning next month.

A senior Immigration officer in Putrajaya told the New Straits Times that the gantries and stored-value card readers using the same principle as the Touch ’n Go cards have been installed to make it easier for Singaporean motorists.

Checks by the NST at both entry points yesterday revealed trial runs for the equipment had been conducted over the past few days.

Customs and Immigration officers at both entry points have also begun verbally notifying Singaporean motorists of the move.

"We have installed the equipment but the exact date the levy will come into force has not been decided yet. The Transport Ministry will announce it soon," said the senior Immigration officer.

However, a Singaporean motorist who contacted the NST office here said Customs officers at the Second Link had told her the levy would be charged beginning Thursday.

"I was taken aback because there has been no announcement. This is going to affect regular travellers to Malaysia, like myself," she said.

Singapore currently imposes a S$20 (about RM46) entry permit fee on Malaysian cars and S$4 (RM9) fee on motorcycles entering the republic from 2am to 5pm on weekdays. No fees are levied on weekends and public holidays.

The levy proposal was first mooted by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry last April to defray fuel subsidies lost to foreign vehicles.

The proposal has seen some reservations from various quarters, especially retailers, who believe that Singaporeans may be put off from coming to Malaysia.

State executive councillor Freddy Long, who heads the tourism portfolio, said he feared the levy would affect the tourism industry in Johor.

Singaporeans spend an average of RM5 million a day on food, shopping and entertainment in Johor. Most hoteliers, retailers and restaurant operators are heavily dependent on their patronage.


In Singapore, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the levy was inconsequential compared to the fuel subsidies and other benefits Singaporeans enjoyed in Malaysia.

He said the levy would not deter Singaporeans from entering the country.