Malaysia’s national news agency reports that as of next year, permits will be required for the importation of regrooved tires.

According to Bernama, deputy transport minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said this change was occurring to ensure imported regrooved tires were safe for use in Malaysia. "The ministry has made new legal provisions for motor vehicles which will be gazetted and implemented in 2010 to control the entry of regrooved tires from other countries," he said.  

According to Abdul Rahim, industry feedback indicates that an estimated that 200,000 to 300,000 – 3% to 5% – of Malaysia’s road users use regrooved tires. "Most of these regrooved tires are used by commercial vehicles in the rural or off-road areas,” he commented.

"We are aware of the situation and are monitoring it. We also see this industry as one that contributes to the country’s road safety problem,” the minister added. (Tyres & Accessories)