Cameron Highlands, a popular tourist destination in Malaysia known for its lush tea plantations and cool climate, is also home to a thriving agricultural industry. To support the economic survival of commercial agro-enterprises in the region, the government has announced a three-year extension of the 90 per cent reduction on motor vehicle licence (LKM) fee rates for decontrolled vehicles in Cameron Highlands.
This initiative, which has been in place since 1987, aims to provide financial relief to the owners of 1,058 decontrolled vehicles used for transporting agricultural produce and goods from farms to collection centers in Cameron Highlands. The extension of this incentive, effective from Oct 28 this year to Oct 27, 2027, is a proactive move by the MADANI government to support the local agricultural industry.
According to Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli, the decision to extend the initiative was made in response to a request from the Cameron Highlands Vegetable Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association. This request came after discussions and meetings between government representatives and farm operators in the district, highlighting the importance of supporting the local agricultural community.
Aedy Fadly emphasized that the extension of the incentive would help vegetable truck operators in Cameron Highlands replace their old four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles, thereby reducing the financial burden on association members. This support is crucial for ensuring the smooth transportation of agricultural produce and goods in the region.
In addition to the announcement of the incentive extension, Aedy Fadly also addressed the issue of foreign drivers operating vehicles in Cameron Highlands without valid documents. During a special operation named ‘Op Pemandu Warga Asing’, 31 vehicles operated by foreigners were seized due to various traffic offenses, including driving without a valid license, expired LKM, and misuse of LKM.
A total of 204 vehicles were inspected during the operation, which involved personnel from Pahang JPJ and staff members of the Immigration Department. Aedy Fadly highlighted that 138 summonses were issued during the operation, with the most common offenses being related to driving without a valid license and misuse of LKM.
The operation was conducted in response to complaints from local residents about the increasing number of foreigners driving without valid documents in Cameron Highlands. By taking action against offenders and enforcing traffic regulations, the authorities aim to ensure road safety and compliance with legal requirements in the region.
Overall, the extension of the incentive for decontrolled vehicles in Cameron Highlands and the enforcement actions against foreign drivers reflect the government’s commitment to supporting the local agricultural industry and maintaining road safety in the region. These initiatives play a crucial role in sustaining the economic growth and prosperity of Cameron Highlands.