Chong (right) and Rostam (centre) give the thumbs-up to the guideline. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Car dealers in the country are urged to adopt the Asean New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) Labelling Compliance Guideline to promote and enhance the importance on safety of cars among consumers.
In making the call yesterday, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen said the guideline, which was launched in Kuala Lumpur earlier last week, is not compulsory yet.
“There will be a directive to comply with this Asean NCAP, effective March 1, 2020. The programme is not a mandatory obligation yet.
“Whenever a new programme is launched, some time must be given to industry players to comply with it. For this Asean NCAP, a one-year grace period is given,” he said during a working visit to a Perodua showroom at Jalan Sherip Masahor here yesterday.
Chong said Aruz and Myvi cars are presently two Perodua models that have been certified under the guideline.
“The purpose of this programme is to create awareness among car vendors and purchasers. Stars (rating) will be given under the programme.
“There are five-star, four-star and three-star. If five-star is given, it means that the car satisfies all safety requirements,” he said.
According to Chong again, car vendors could claim that the cars they sell are safe but so far no standardised agency has certified so.
Effective March 1 this year, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and Asean NCAP will jointly mark the initiation of the guideline.
Chong, who is Stampin MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, said the safety of vehicles play an important part in consumers making a choice when buying a car.
He said while safety of vehicles is of paramount importance, the attitude of road users was equally essential in avoiding untoward incidents.
“A car can be safe by design but at the end of the day, it’s the driver’s attitude that makes a difference.”
Even though a one-year grace period is being granted, he hoped that car vendors nationwide would adopt the guideline as soon as possible.
“If more buyers are aware of this safety standard requirement and the demand is there, supply will have to cater to the demand,” added Chong.
Deputy secretary-general to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (Consumers and Management) Datuk Rostam Affendi Salleh was among those present during the visit.