MALAYSIA does not implement an end-of-life vehicle policy for old vehicles, given its impracticality, but encourages people to move towards carbon-free electric vehicle (EV) ownership or public transport usage. 

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said such a policy could not be implemented as it did not take into account the socio-economic needs of the country as well dependence on private vehicles. 

“We don’t have a policy for end-of-life vehicles unlike some (other) countries. If there is a policy to scrap old cars, it will burden the people. 

“Data shows car sales are rising, which indicate the economy is in good shape. It is an indicator that we still depend on private vehicles, there is no policy to prevent vehicle ownership,” he said.  

In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals towards a carbon emission-free country by 2030, Loke said the government would continue to build and invest in the public transport system to make it better. 

“In terms of the ratio of public transport to private vehicle, the usage of public transport system is still very low at around less than 20%. 

“We are hoping to build up more usage of public transport system, but definitely that will take a lot of effort and time, as well as investment by the government,” he said, citing efforts taken to encourage the EV industry in Malaysia. 

He added that 15 out of 30 million vehicles in Malaysia are motorcycles that contribute to huge emissions, therefore the Transport Ministry introduced a RM2,400 rebate to encourage the use of e-motorbikes as mentioned in Budget 2024 recently. – Bernama, October 24, 2023.