Motorists collecting VEP at Woodlands Industrial Park must pay $218 release fee if their wheel gets clamped
A woman was shocked when her car was wheel-clamped after she parked for just four minutes at Woodlands Industrial Park in June to collect her Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP).
She was told to pay $218 to have the clamp removed.
Stomper Tiffany claimed that the carpark operator, G. Tech, appeared to be running what she described as a "profit-driven and exploitative" wheel-clamping operation at the site.
Woodlands Industrial Park is currently the only location in Singapore where motorists can collect their VEPs.
"There was a lack of visible signage indicating the risk of clamping, only freshly painted red lots on the floor," said the Stomper.
"I counted at least six clamps visibly ready for deployment, and staff were stationed with the sole task of clamping vehicles," she added.
"If this were about fair enforcement, why be so well-prepared to penalise rather than warn?"
She added that most of the motorists there were likely only present to complete the mandatory VEP registration, ahead of a July 1 deadline.
From that date, Singapore-registered vehicles entering Malaysia without a VEP will receive a compound fine of RM300 (S$90).
"It is clear this situation has been engineered to take advantage of the expected influx of VEP applicants ahead of the July deadline," she said.
"Within just an hour, I witnessed multiple vehicles clamped, many belonging to the older generation who parked closer due to mobility issues. These were not repeat offenders. They were people fulfilling a once-off administrative obligation."
She claimed the clampings disproportionately affected vulnerable groups.
"One particular case was heartbreaking. An elderly man in his 70s with a walking stick had his vehicle clamped as well," she recounted.
"When he informed the enforcement staff that he didn't have cash to pay the $218 release fee, they offered no help, no directions to an ATM and no alternative solution," she said.
"He was forced to walk in the midday heat to find an ATM - and had to seek help from me, instead of the people enforcing the penalty," she noted, adding that it felt "inhumane".
After paying the release fee, Tiffany said she attempted to raise her concerns with the carpark operator on the lack of signage.
"I spent 1½ hours trying to give feedback, only to be met with dismissiveness and refusal to engage. Their only response was that the red floor marking was 'sufficient' - even as multiple drivers were being caught in the same trap," she said.
Tiffany said she later looked up G. Tech's Google reviews and found past complaints echoing similar experiences - including alleged lack of warning signs, rigid enforcement, and refusal to consider feedback.
"The most troubling part is how this disproportionately affects the elderly," she said.
To her, it was more than just a signage issue.
"It is a matter of fairness, empathy and preventing vulnerable people from being financially and emotionally exploited at a government-mandated service point."
Stomp has contacted G. Tech for more information.
