LABUAN — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will conduct the Special Operation on Foreign Drivers (Ops Pewa) routinely nationwide to ensure road safety and full compliance with traffic regulations.
Sabah JPJ director Datuk Mohd Harris Ali said the integrated operation, involving JPJ, the police, the Immigration Department and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), had been implemented nationwide since June 16, including in Sabah.
He said the operation was carried out in response to current issues involving foreign drivers.
“JPJ plans to carry out Ops Pewa routinely throughout the country to ensure road safety and total compliance on the road,” he told a press conference at the JPJ Enforcement Station in Rancha-Rancha here today.
Mohd Harris said stern action would be taken against any foreign driver who committed offences, including seizure of vehicles under Section 64 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He said JPJ would be stricter this time, with seized vehicles only to be released after court proceedings were completed and fines paid.
“Action will be taken against both the driver and the vehicle owner.
“We hope vehicle owners will be careful when lending their vehicles to anyone. They must ensure the person has a valid driving licence and does not have issues involving personal documents,” he said.
Among the offences checked during the operation were driving without a competent driving licence (CDL), illegal modification of vehicle structure and equipment, expired motor vehicle licences despite having insurance, and falsification of details or identity involving foreign drivers.
Mohd Harris said for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders, JPJ personnel would verify their status through the UNHCR Verified Plus application.
He said arrests without warrant could be made under Section 112 of the Road Transport Act 1987, with those involved to be handed over to the Immigration Department and police for further action.
Mohd Harris said since the operation began on June 16, a total of 101,439 vehicles had been inspected nationwide, with 115 JPJ P22 notices issued and four vehicles seized.
For the operation in Labuan today, he said 132 vehicles were inspected and 13 JPJ P22 summonses were issued, while the police issued two summonses under existing regulations.
He said the operation also identified one motorcycle rider who did not possess personal identification documents, and the individual was handed over to the Immigration Department.
Meanwhile, Mohd Harris said JPJ had seized 60 luxury vehicles under the Luxury Vehicle Operation (Ops Luxury) in Sabah, involving brands such as BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Supra and others.
He said the operation recorded RM50,132.50 in government revenue leakage, adding that the vehicles were only released after the owners renewed their licences and paid the compounds.
“The operation will continue, involving not only ordinary vehicles but also luxury vehicles,” he said.
On another matter, Mohd Harris said JPJ, through an initiative by the Education Ministry and Transport Ministry, had implemented the MyLesen B2 School Special Programme (MyB2S), including in Labuan.
He said Labuan had been allocated a quota for the RM219 motorcycle licence programme for school students.
Mohd Harris said JPJ Sabah and JPJ headquarters were working to increase the quota following discussions with the Labuan Education Department, based on local demand and needs.
“I am positive about the effort to increase the quota because I have been informed that many students ride motorcycles to school without a licence. This is a very serious issue.
“We want to reduce road accidents, and we have taken action against students, including vehicle seizures, although some of them actually need the motorcycles to go to school,” he said.
He also hoped parents would support the programme, as parental approval and signatures were required.
Mohd Harris said some parents were concerned about their children being injured during training, but stressed that the programme followed the full format and curriculum set by driving institutes.
He said the RM219 cost was fully borne by the government, making the motorcycle licence free for eligible students.
He added that under the initial special quota set by JPJ headquarters, Labuan was allocated RM65,700, with each licence costing RM219.
Any increase in quota, he said, would require additional allocation for Labuan.
