SHAH ALAM – Owners of vehicles more than 20 years old are still facing a dilemma about switching to new vehicles under the Matching Grant Programme for the Replacement of Old Vehicle initiative, even though the scheme is seen as a positive move by the government.
Graphic designer Syed Mohd Badril Hisham Syed Abdul Khalid, 43, said he does not yet see the need to replace his old vehicle because it is still in good condition and functions as usual.
He said the car he bought in 2006 has not suffered any serious damage and deciding to scrap it is a difficult one.
“My old car is still in good condition and can be used without problems. So, I don’t see the need to dispose of it and replace it with a new vehicle,” he told Sinar.
Syed Badril added that maintenance costs for older vehicles are significantly lower and spare parts are readily available at most workshops and through online platforms.
“Repair costs are cheaper and spare parts are easy to find, so it is more economical compared to buying a new car,” he said.
The same goes for mechanic Muhamad Anwar Abdul Rahim Along, 30, who said the vehicle he currently owns is still functioning well and meets his daily needs, making it difficult for him to dispose of it.
“In terms of safety, I think there’s no issue. My vehicle can still be driven and the brakes and signal lights are functioning properly.
“If there is any damage, I can still repair it. So personally, I’m not very interested in the initiative,” he said.
Entrepreneur Mustafar Rahadi, 55, believes the programme is a positive step and can help owners of old vehicles who are burdened with high maintenance costs and a lack of spare parts in the market.
“I keep a 1995 Evo3, a Kelisa (2003) and a Waja (2003). As someone long involved in the automotive field who always maintains my cars, I would not take up the initiative.
“The government also needs to consider low-income owners and old vehicles that are still in good condition and well-maintained.
“In conclusion, this programme is good if implemented voluntarily, in stages and with incentives, not through force alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, student Amira Natasha Asrol, 23, disagrees with disposing of vehicles based solely on age, as many still function well.
According to her, the level of maintenance plays an important role in determining whether a vehicle is still safe to use.
“For example, my father’s Toyota Avanza is already 23 years old, but it can still be driven to work without major problems.
“My own car is not even a year old yet and if it is well-maintained, it will last another 20 years. By then, I will no longer be burdened by debt,” said Amira, who bought a Perodua Axia six months ago.
On Jan 27, Transport Minister Anthony Loke unveiled the initiative where eligible Malaysians can receive a RM2,000 grant from the government, which will be matched by Proton or Perodua, bringing the total incentive to RM4,000 when purchasing most new models from these manufacturers. The move aimed to remove ageing vehicles from the roads.
The scheme applies exclusively to local brands - Proton and Perodua - and aims to make safer, modern vehicles more accessible to the public.