This guy is a big bloke, kitted out with a smile which only just fits within his face.

With an air of complete confidence, he approached, armed with an ink pad and stamp. Grinning and verbally welcoming me to all things Malaysian, he proceeded to blat ink in every white space on the new page of the carnet pad. Both the import and export coupons were imprinted with equal gusto.

After he was brought back under control, but still grinning, he scribed Malay notes all over the incorrect markings, and pushed me towards the truck, instructing me to go and discover Malaysia.

However, although I left as instructed at this juncture, I don't think I should.... Read on.

There is an insurance booth immediately after exiting the customs shed. Hidden up a mini alleyway on the RHS. On enquiring about rates, the lass disappeared for a while, returned, filled out some paperwork, then took me back into the customs shed. Here, she gave me an International Circulation Permit (ICP). This is a free/temporary tax disc for your windscreen.

As this was identical in all aspects, bar one, to the Singaporean ICP, I assume that the Malaysians copied the design from their Singaporean neighbours. The aspect they'd not copied regarded dimension. Whereas the Singaporean ICP is sensibly sized to tuck into the corner of your windscreen, the Malaysian one required more glazing area than Pilkingtons ship in an average month.

Should I have been given this ICP earlier, at the time when the customs chief sent me on my way? If I'd proceded to the next town to buy the insurance, would that have caused a systems meltdown?

It should be noted that at no time during my stay in Malaysia, was my ICP checked. Nor was it requested on exit from Malaysia. (Nor, incidentally, did I display it in my windscreen.) However, if I'd had a brush with the law, maybe it would have been a critical document. So, my advice to vehicle travellers, is make sure you obtain one before leaving the customs inspection.