The Penang Road Transport Department (JPJ) raised concerns regarding the increase in road offenses involving foreigners. The main and increasingly serious offense is not having a driver’s license.
The state JPJ director, Zulkifly Ismail, said that since the beginning of January until today, a total of 267 summons notices were issued to foreign drivers and 124 vehicles were confiscated, all due to not having a driving license.
He said, that does not include last year where 534 summons notices were issued to foreign drivers of which 416 vehicles were seized.
“We have noticed a trend in recent times of offenses committed by foreigners being quite serious and increasing.
“So I would like to remind vehicle owners to be careful not to arbitrarily let their vehicles be driven by foreigners who do not have valid driving documents.
“Otherwise they will also face action especially under Section 26 of the Road Transport Act 1987 if their vehicles are detected being driven by individuals who do not have a valid driving document,” he said when met while inspecting a special operation in conjunction with Aidilfitri at the JPJ Enforcement Station in Valdor, here. today.
In the operation, a total of 670 vehicles were inspected with 181 being taken action, while 213 summons notices were issued and six vehicles were seized for various offences.
The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) who were also involved in the same ops issued 30 summons notices, followed by the Immigration Department who arrested eight foreigners.
The Department of Environment (JAS) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) issued two and six compounds respectively, while the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) conducted urine tests on 15 drivers, six of whom were found to be positive for drugs.