A photo from Ministry of Superbike Singapore has been making the rounds of Facebook, showing a banner set up at an unnamed Royal Malaysian Customs checkpoint. The wording on the banner, in English, says that individuals are prohibited from bringing in a helmet into Malaysia that does not comply with standards.
The quality standards in question are United Nations Regulation R22 for protective helmets and visors and Malaysian Standard 1 (MS)1 specifications for protective helmets for vehicle users. The notice states that any person bringing a non-compliant helmet into Malaysia without proper permit (sic) from the JPJ will be detained by Customs.
However, the notice fails to state if such a ruling applies to helmets currently used by the rider or for helmets imported new into the country, having been bought overseas and hand carried into Malaysia for personal use. The author, having travelled extensively overseas for motorcycle tests and reviews, has always carried his own helmet and not faced a single problem entering a foreign country or re-entering Malaysia.
This regulation has taken many by surprise with comments about the lack of transparency in the implementation as the vagueness of the wording. We have reached out to Customs and will update if we get any news.
What do you think? Another bureaucratic hurdle that inconveniences the rakyat or necessary regulation to prevent the import of substandard safety equipment? Leave a comment with your thoughts and opinions.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments reveal frustration with Malaysia's helmet import regulations, citing them as overly strict, bureaucratic, and sometimes illogical. Many believe the laws hinder genuine, safety-standard helmets bought online or abroad, arguing that internationally recognized standards like ECE should be accepted. There's concern that local laws favor importers and that fake or substandard helmets flood the market, compromising safety. Several commenters highlight that reputable brands such as Shoei, Arai, and Bell meet safety standards and should be allowed regardless of SIRIM certification. Others share experiences of customs delays and confiscations when bringing in helmets from overseas, suggesting the system mainly aims to generate revenue rather than enhance safety. Overall, opinions are mixed but tend toward skepticism of current policies and emphasis on prioritizing safety standards over bureaucratic hurdles.