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KUALA LUMPUR \u2013 Tour buses from Singapore are allowed to enter Malaysia but cannot operate as express buses, said Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke.<\/p>\n
He said the arrangement is reciprocal, as Malaysian tour buses can operate in Singapore and Singaporean tour buses can carry tourists in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\u201cTour buses bring visitors into the country, which benefits Malaysia, and we do not ban them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if a tour bus operates as an express bus selling tickets for scheduled routes, that is not allowed and action will be taken,\u201d he said in Parliament on Dec 2.<\/p>\n
Mr Loke said Singapore requested that Malaysia allow its express buses in return for Malaysian buses operating there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, Singapore does not have a legal category for express buses. Their system only recognises tour buses and scheduled buses,\u201d said Mr Loke.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why our position remains firm, and we will not allow express bus services from Singapore,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He responded to a supplementary question from opposition Member of Parliament Ahmad Marzuk Shaary on inspections and safety compliance of buses.<\/p>\n
Mr Ahmad Marzuk raised concerns that some Singaporean tour buses have operated in Malaysia for years without inspections from vehicles services firm Puspakom or adhering to local safety standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese operators have taken advantage of the system,\u201d Mr Loke said. \u201cWe will not consider permits for Singaporean express buses as it would disadvantage local operators.\u201d THE STAR\/ASIA NEWS NETWORK<\/p>\n<\/div>\n