No More Warnings: Selangor JPJ to Prosecute Vehicle Owners Renting to Foreigners
KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Road Transport Department (JPJ) has taken a tougher stance against local vehicle owners who rent out their vehicles to foreigners, warning that offenders will no longer receive warnings and will instead be brought directly to court.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of rented vehicles by foreign nationals, many of whom are found operating without valid licences or insurance coverage.
Selangor JPJ deputy director Datuk Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat said motorcycles remain the most commonly rented vehicles, with owners offering daily, weekly and monthly rental arrangements at fixed rates.
According to him, investigations and enforcement operations found that many foreigners use rented vehicles to conduct business activities such as selling food, transporting gas cylinders and collecting scrap metal.
“These actions are not only illegal but also pose a danger to other road users.
“Local owners involved in such activities will no longer be given warnings. They will be taken directly to court without compromise,” he said during a press conference following the Foreign Driver Operation (Ops PeWA) at the Selangor JPJ office in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam.
Ahmad Kamarunzaman revealed that from January until yesterday, a total of 239 foreign drivers had been subjected to enforcement action under Ops PeWA across Selangor.
The most common offences detected included driving without a Competent Driving Licence (CDL), failing to possess a valid Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM), not holding a vocational driving licence (GDL) and driving without insurance coverage.
During the same period, JPJ took action against 304 vehicles, with 95 of them seized for further investigation.
He said the department views the issue seriously as renting vehicles to unqualified drivers not only violates the law but also creates safety risks for the public.
“Vehicle owners cannot simply wash their hands after handing over their vehicles to someone else.
“They remain responsible for any offences committed by the drivers using their vehicles, including foreigners,” he said.
Ahmad Kamarunzaman added that employers and transport companies are equally accountable if they allow unqualified individuals to operate company vehicles.
Under Section 109 of the Road Transport Act 1987, registered vehicle owners can face prosecution if they are found to have permitted or facilitated offences involving their vehicles.
Meanwhile, Section 64 of the same Act empowers JPJ to seize vehicles driven by foreign nationals who do not possess valid driving licences.
He said the stricter enforcement measures are aimed at ensuring road safety and improving compliance with traffic regulations across the state.
“JPJ will not compromise on this matter. The safety of road users remains our priority, and firm action will be taken against anyone found violating the law,” he said.
Ahmad Kamarunzaman also urged the public not to engage in illegal vehicle rental activities for quick profits, warning that the legal consequences could be severe.
He said JPJ would continue intensifying operations and monitoring efforts throughout Selangor to curb the practice and ensure that all motorists comply with the country’s road transport laws.
