SENIOR political figures, well-known businessmen, and individuals bearing honorific titles such as Tan Sri are among the owners of luxury vehicles with unpaid road taxes totalling RM35.7 million, Malaysia’s transport minister revealed today.
At a press conference today, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the figure is based on data from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), which tracked five categories of high-end cars.
According to JPJ records, 345 Rolls-Royce, 372 Lamborghini, 660 Bentley, 675 Ferrari and 4,308 Porsche vehicles have not had their road tax renewed, many for extended periods.
“All the details — the owners, vehicle types, and the expiry period — are available in JPJ’s system,” said Loke. “Even though some of the names include Tan Sri, politicians, or prominent businessmen, I will not name anyone publicly. This is not about shaming individuals.”
Instead, he issued a call for responsibility: “I urge them to fulfil their obligation to renew their road tax. If these vehicles are still on the road, they must be licensed and insured.”
The breakdown of arrears includes RM6.4 million from Rolls-Royce owners, RM3.7 million from Lamborghinis, RM7 million from Bentleys, RM4.7 million from Ferraris and RM13.7 million from Porsches.
Loke also pointed out that some individuals deliberately avoid renewing their road tax, choosing instead to risk having their vehicles seized — a move they calculate as less costly than paying the actual tax.
“There are owners who wait until their cars are seized because they see the RM300 compound as more affordable than paying full road tax. This attitude is unacceptable,” he said.
He warned that the authorities are prepared to escalate enforcement action if this trend continues.
“JPJ has already seized more than 400 luxury vehicles in recent months. Although not every case is publicised, operations are ongoing,” Loke added.
He stressed that the ongoing ‘Ops Luxury’ initiative was not about public embarrassment but ensuring fairness and compliance.
“This operation sends a message that no one is exempt. Everyone has a legal duty to comply, regardless of social standing,” he said.
For vehicles no longer in use, Loke advised owners to formally remove them from the registry to avoid accumulating penalties. - September 24, 2025