Malaysian used car dealers unhappy with new biometric mandate

Second-hand car dealers in Malaysia are upset about the country’s recent Road Transport Department ruling that requires those individuals who are involved in both sides of transferring vehicle ownership to submit their biometric details, according to a report by The Star Online.

Datuk Tony Khor, president of Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia, said dealers had their hopes on using the Interim Owner­ship Transfer System (STMS).

This online platform enables vehicle owners to perform an ownership transfer with dealers without having to make a physical visit to the Malaysian Road Transport Department (RTD) offices. The STMS scanning system in dealers offices were linked to the RTD, allowing the entire biometric process to be conducted from there, says Khor.

With the new ruling, customers at car dealers will have to visit the RTD office to perform the biometric process despite the necessary equipment being onsite at the car dealership.

As of June 1st, both sellers and new owners involved in the transfer of vehicle ownership will be required to complete the biometric verification process within seven days with RTD.

Applying to all vehicles owned by companies, the new ruling covers the transfer of ownership between individuals and companies.

And despite the fact that both parties do not need to be present together at the RTD office to conduct the biometic verification process, Khor says the new ruling makes it inconvenient for customers since they will have to take time off work to visit a RTD office.

This extra step could potentially hurt business for car dealerships, says Khor.

Reported previously in BiometricUpdate.com, these kind of point-of-sale biometric verification programs have ruffled feathers in the past, too.

Article Topics

government  |  Malaysia  |  verification