Melaka JPJ Seizes 60 Vehicles In Op PEWA

MELAKA, June 26 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Road Transport Department (JPJ) seized 60 vehicles during its Foreign Driver Operation (Op PeWA), conducted at several locations across the state from June 16 until today, for various offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.

Melaka JPJ director Siti Zarina Mohd Yusop said 243 vehicles were inspected during the operation, with enforcement action taken against 60 vehicles and 196 notices issued under the Road Transport Act 1987.

"Of the vehicles seized, 47 were motorcycles, nine were cars, two were goods vehicles and the remaining two were other types of vehicles.

"All the vehicles were seized for three main offences: driving without a valid licence, expired motor vehicle licence (road tax), and lack of insurance coverage," she said in a statement today.

Zarina said the foreign drivers penalised during Op PeWA comprised 23 Bangladeshis, 12 Pakistanis, 11 Rohingya, eight Indonesians, four Myanmar nationals and two of other nationalities.

She said the operation was not intended to target any particular group, but was carried out to ensure that everyone driving or riding on public roads complies with the law, regardless of nationality.

She said investigations also found that most of the seized vehicles had been acquired through transactions that did not comply with legal requirements, including being purchased directly from the original owners without any transfer of ownership.

"Most of the motorcycles were sold for cash, with the highest price at around RM1,500, and were generally older models. There were also motorcycles that remained in good condition which employers had provided to their workers for their use," she said.

She said vehicle owners are fully responsible for the use of their vehicles, and allowing individuals without a valid driving licence to use them is an offence under the Road Transport Act 1987.

"We therefore advise the public to always comply with road traffic laws and not be complicit in any form of legal violation in order to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone," she said.

-- BERNAMA