JPJ cracks down on foreign drivers, 481,119 summonses issued from 2024 to Sept 2026

From September 2024 to September 2026, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in Malaysia issued 481,119 summonses to foreign drivers through a special operation named 'Ops Khas Pemandu Warga Asing' (PeWA). Senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan revealed that the most common violations were the lack of a valid driving licence, expired Motor Vehicle Licence, and no insurance coverage. In 2024, 183,300 summonses were issued, followed by 191,676 in 2025 and 106,143 from January to September 2026.

Muhammad Kifli claimed that foreign drivers' employment by local employers without assurance of their qualifications and valid documents contributed to the problem, as these employers collude or betray the country. He urged the public to be responsible and aware of not hiring unqualified foreign workers. As part of a stricter approach over the past three months, JPJ has taken action against drivers and owners of commercial vehicles, filing cases in court without offering settlement through compound payments for certain cases.

Foreigners are not allowed to apply for vocational licences such as Goods Vehicle Licence and Public Service Vehicle Licence, making it the employer's responsibility to ensure their drivers meet the required qualifications.

Since 2024, JPJ has seized three buses and 147 lorries, while private vehicles, including 3,611 motorcycles, have also been targeted, with 2,052 seized. The department also took action against 1,301 cars, including 456 that were seized. Regarding Myanmar refugees, Kifli stated that his team discovered some renting motorcycles at rates from RM50 to RM200 per month, modifying them into tricycles to collect used goods and recyclable materials.

He denied claims that Myanmar refugees would be allowed to obtain driving licences, reporting the viral claim to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. The JPJ plans to intensify PeWA nationwide and encourage the public to provide information to help combat the offense.