A member of Parliament has suggested that vehicles more than 15 years old be required to undergo mandatory vehicle inspections before their road tax can be renewed, FMT reports. Jimmy Puah (PH-Tebrau) told the Dewan Rakyat that the move was important as old cars are more likely to break down, which can contribute to traffic congestion and potentially endanger other road users.
He also proposed the government provides cash incentives to encourage vehicle owners to scrap their old cars, calling it an effective way to phase out ageing vehicles from the roads. This is reminiscent of the Cash for Clunkers scrappage scheme programme, which has been mooted for the longest time but was called off following concerns raised by the public over the benefits of such a programme.
Puah noted that the number of vehicles in Malaysia has now exceeded 36.3 million, surpassing the total population (excluding children under 17 and senior citizens above 80). “This means nearly every Malaysian owns two cars,” he said.
Puah went on to say that based on data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), vehicle registrations in 2025 are expected to reach nearly 800,000 units (the actual figure provided is 780,000 as per the association’s forecast). “Everywhere we go, our roads are packed with cars. Today, even the North-South Expressway is congested. The situation worsens during weekends and festive seasons,” he said.
On a separate matter, Puah also called for a ban on retreaded tyres due to safety concerns. Citing a works ministry report in 2019, he said retreaded tyres contributed to 10,000 accidents that year. “That was in 2019. Now, in 2025, I am certain the number is even higher. The government must seriously consider banning retreaded tyres,” he said.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments strongly oppose the proposal for mandatory annual inspections for cars over 15 years old, citing that many older vehicles are well-maintained and not necessarily unsafe. Several commenters argue that breakdowns on highways are mostly due to accidents, poor maintenance, or heavy vehicles like lorries, rather than age. There is skepticism about the MP’s data and accusations of political or corporate interests behind the suggestion, with some suggesting it’s a move to benefit inspection companies or generate revenue. Many feel the focus should be on improving public transportation, enforcing existing traffic laws, and reducing burdens like high taxes and living costs. Concerns about fairness for low-income drivers and older citizens owning old but reliable cars also feature prominently. Overall, the comments dismiss the idea as ineffective and potentially unjust.