SELANGOR'S Road Transport Department (JPJ) will launch sustained, state-wide enforcement operations against unlicensed foreign drivers and the vehicle owners or employers who allow them to drive, with offenders facing court action rather than compounds.
JPJ Selangor director Datuk Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat said the department was aware of the presence of foreign drivers without valid licences across the state, particularly in Klang, Selayang, Ampang, Subang Jaya and Puchong.
“Not only the drivers, but the owners will also face action. In cases involving foreign drivers, no compounds are issued. We take them directly to court, and the seized vehicles can only be released after the court proceedings are completed. The owners must therefore attend court,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after leading Ops Pewa in Meru, Klang, where an operation running from 6.30am to 10am resulted in the detection and seizure of 51 vehicles allegedly driven by foreign nationals without valid licences.
The vehicles comprised 48 motorcycles, one car and two commercial lorries.
Ahmad Kamarunzaman said JPJ inspected 131 vehicles of various types during the operation and issued 578 notices for offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.
The most common violations involved vehicle technical defects, with 102 cases recorded, followed by driving without a licence, with 95 cases, and the absence of road tax and insurance, with 48 cases.
Those detained included 13 Bangladeshis, 11 Myanmar nationals, 10 Pakistanis, eight Indians, seven Indonesians and two people from other countries.
He said foreign nationals with the required documentation could own and drive vehicles, provided they held valid driving licences, but some had been found violating the regulations.
The department had also identified local vehicle owners who irresponsibly rented motorcycles and other vehicles to foreign nationals without valid driving licences.
“We are paying particular attention to foreign drivers, especially those working as drivers of commercial vehicles, goods vehicles and other such vehicles,” he said.
“Such vehicles pose a greater safety risk when operated by individuals who do not have the required qualifications, licences or competency.
“JPJ Selangor does not want road safety to be taken lightly. Employers, owners and drivers all have responsibilities. Do not focus solely on labour costs while neglecting qualifications and safety.”
He urged employers not to allow either foreign or Malaysian workers to drive without valid licences.
Ahmad Kamarunzaman said enforcement would continue throughout Selangor, focusing on identified hotspots, including commercial centres, logistics hubs, industrial areas and major roads.
He said operations would be intelligence-led and targeted, with their timing and locations determined by data analysis and intelligence to prevent enforcement from becoming merely seasonal. - October 9, 2026
