{
  "id": 10336118,
  "title": "RTD detects businesses hiring foreigners as commercial drivers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/rtd-detects-businesses-hiring-foreigners-as-commercial-drivers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T01:31:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1542615/rtd-detects-businesses-hiring-foreigners-commercial-drivers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Road Transport Department (RTD) has uncovered instances of businesses employing foreigners as commercial drivers, as well as Malaysians renting motorcycles to foreigners for monetary gain. Senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan explained that these operators were disregarding the law to reduce expenses and boost profits. He clarified that foreigners are ineligible for Goods Driving Licence (GDL) or Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences to operate goods or public service vehicles. He urged business operators not to collaborate with foreigners by hiring them to drive lorries or buses, emphasizing that such actions compromise safety and the law to increase profits. Similarly, Malaysians who rent their vehicles, especially motorcycles, to foreigners contribute to the issue. Kifli emphasized that foreigners without valid documents cannot legally own or use vehicles on Malaysian roads, highlighting the role Malaysians play by renting out their vehicles to foreigners. The RTD issued 481,119 summonses from 2024 to September of this year, with 183,300 in 2024, 191,676 in 2025, and 106,143 from January to September. The department has implemented a tougher stance, issuing summonses to both the foreigner driving the vehicle and its owner, with neither being exempt from penalties. Additionally, commercial vehicles driven by foreigners can be confiscated under the Land Public Transport Act (Apad), while private vehicles result in court proceedings or forfeiture if owners fail to appear. Kifli noted that Rohingya, Pakistanis, and Indonesians are frequently found on motorcycles, while Bangladeshis, Indonesians, and Indians are among those driving lorries. Motorcycles are often rented to foreigners for RM50 to RM200 per month, depending on their condition, with three-wheeled motorcycles commonly used for collecting recyclable materials on the East Coast, predominantly operated by Rohingya citizens.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: The Road Transport Department (RTD) has detected businesses hiring foreigners to drive lorries and buses, as well as Malaysians renting motorcycles to foreigners for profit.",
  "key_points": [
    "RTD uncovers businesses hiring foreigners as commercial drivers.",
    "Malaysians renting motorcycles to foreigners for monetary gain.",
    "481,119 summonses issued by RTD from 2024 to September 2025."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}