LICENSING OF GOODS VEHICLES (Reasons for delay)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Communications the reasons that account for the long delay in the licensing of goods-carrying vehicles for road use, and whether he will direct the Registrar of Vehicles to speed up the processing of such applications in order to avoid shortage of such vehicles.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, there should be no delay on the part of the Registry of Vehicles in licensing goods vehicles, if the proper document, i.e. the weight certificate of the goods vehicle, is available to determine its maximum laden weight for purpose of registration. Unfortunately, such proper documents are not available for a large number of imported used or re-conditioned goods vehicles. For such cases, the ROV has requested the local agent to check these vehicles against their manufacturers' specifications and to issue a certificate which is acceptable for registration. For the services performed, a fee of $100 for each vehicle inspected is levied by the agent.

Since March, 1973, the agent has issued 987 such certificates for goods vehicles inspected by them. In addition, ROV has, since August, 1973, accepted 152 goods vehicles for registration based on the submission of an extract of registration particulars or plating certificate from the country of origin. The latter measure was undertaken to expedite the registration process. As at 9th March, 1974, the number of vehicles on the waiting list for issue of maximum laden weight certificate by the agent is 227. It has been estimated that the agent could issue up to 20 certificates a week.

It should be stated that on 28th March last year, the Registrar of Vehicles did inform representatives of leading importers of used goods vehicles of the need for proper documents to support the registration and licensing of such vehicles. Having these proper documents means the importers need not depend on the certificate issued by the agent and the registration process could then proceed without any delay.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): Mr Speaker, Sir, the first supplementary question is: should we not let the importers know in all such cases that they should try to get the weight certificate from the suppliers? Secondly, if the checking is being done by private firms, how do we ensure that there is no irregularity, and that all applications are processed on the basis of first come first served? Because I have heard of cases where people who apply later have yet got their certificates earlier.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: I have already explained, Mr Speaker, Sir, that importers have been told to get the proper documents. If they fail to, whoever buys it is just asking for delay and trouble. If there are instances where the applications were delayed, although they were put in much earlier but were not certified till much later, I would appreciate it if the Member would report such known cases to the Registrar of Vehicles for an investigation to be made.