Are Singapore cars with tinted windows allowed in Malaysia?

ST Forum, The Straits Times, March 27, 2007

SOME Singaporeans have been issued summonses recently by Malaysian police because their tinted car windows did not let in at least 50 per cent of light.

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) allows tinted rear windows that let in only 25 per cent of light. Therefore, all cars from Singapore which have been tinted to LTA specifications will not meet the specifications set out by the Road Transport Department of Malaysia (JPJ).

However, according to the JPJ website (http://202.190.64.96/v5/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=12 ), motor vehicles from Singapore and Brunei are exempted from certain rules, including those governing tinting of windows.

Why then are Singapore motorists with tinted windows being stopped by Malaysian police?

Is this an issue of Malaysian police officers not being briefed properly with regard to JPJ rules involving Singapore motorists or has the JPJ made an error on its website?

Such inconsistencies on the part of Malaysian police and the JPJ have created doubts among Singaporeans who travel frequently to Malaysia.

The Malaysian authorities should clarify their position.


Priji Nair