KOTA BHARU - About 85 per cent of foreign nationals penalised under the Foreign Drivers Operation (Ops PEWA) in Kelantan between January and June 18 were ethnic Rohingya, according to Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Mohd Misuari Abdullah.
He said monitoring and enforcement operations found that the majority were driving without valid licences and had committed various other offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.
"Most of them were found driving without valid licences and had also committed various other offences, including using vehicles for business purposes or activities that are inconsistent with the permitted category of use stated in the Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM) or road tax.
"This not only constitutes a violation of road transport laws but may also jeopardise the safety of other road users,” he told Bernama today.
Mohd Misuari said that during the period, 180 vehicles driven by foreigners were inspected, with 201 notices issued involving 439 offences detected.
He said the most common offence recorded during the period was driving without a Competent Driving Licence (CDL) under Section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, involving 210 cases.
"In addition, 105 cases involved the LKM, or road tax, under Section 23(2), while 62 cases each involved expired road tax under Section 23(1) and lack of insurance coverage under Section 90(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. As a result of the enforcement operations, 105 vehicles were seized for further action,” he said.
He said 34 cases had also been brought to court, with a total of RM34,000 in fines imposed on the offenders.
Following this, Mohd Misuari urged the public, especially the Kelantanese, not to lend, rent out or sell vehicles to foreigners suspected of being illegal immigrants, as doing so could expose vehicle owners to legal action.
He said that the state JPJ would continue to intensify enforcement operations to detect and take stern action against foreigners found driving vehicles in violation of the stipulated rules and conditions.
"JPJ will not compromise on any breach of the law, and members of the public with information on such activities are urged to report them to the department for further action,” he said. -BERNAMA