KUCHING: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) is urging all car vendors to comply with the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (Asean NCAP) Labelling Compliance Guidelines.
This means that car vendors must go through the safety procedures such as crash test to ensure the car safety standard is met for its users.
The directive for compliance will take effect on March 1 and will be mandatory by March 2020 under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
KPDNHEP Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen said the launching of the programme was to raise consumers’ awareness of the safety status of vehicles they want to purchase.
“The purpose of us launching this programme is to create awareness among the vendors and potential car buyers of the vehicle’s safety,” he said during the Asean NCAP Labelling Ceremony at Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd’s showroom, Jalan Sherip Masahor, here yesterday.
He said the launch of the programme was indeed a new milestone in the car industry.
“When the car is tested under Asean NCAP, the cars will be given from zero to five star rating.
“With that rating, it will give potential purchasers to take into consideration the car’s safety,” he stressed.
He added at the moment Perodua Arux and Myvi have been assessed by Asean NCAP and were awarded with five-star rating.
“Although the cars have been awarded five-star rating, it still depends on the people’s driving attitude.
“It does not mean that when your car is safe, you can drive recklessly,” he pointed out.
Once the vehicles are tested, car vendors must display the Asean NCAP label with star rating issued by KPDNHEP on the front window and on the side of the car.
Those who display a fake Asean NCAP label will be fined RM100,000 for private individual or RM250,000 for company or imprisonment of not more than three years.
Meanwhile, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Secretary General (Consumerism and Management) Datuk Rostam Affendi Salleh said that as of last year, 85 models from 25 car brands had been tested with the NCAP programme and 107 models were given their star ratings for safety performance.
Also present at the ceremony were Sarawak Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Director Datuk Stanley Tan, and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (Consumer Standards Division) Director Datuk Che Shukri Che Mat.
