KOTA BARU: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has identified the absence of an International Circulation Permit (ICP), driving without a Competent Driving Licence (CDL) and failure to display the ICP as the three most common offences committed by Thai van drivers operating in Malaysia.
JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan (pic) said the offences were detected under Ops Tunggak Kenderaan Thailand, which had been ongoing since 2023, particularly in border states.
He said focused and consistent enforcement enabled JPJ to collect RM5.59mil in outstanding fines involving Thailand-registered vehicles from 2023 to 2025.
He said collections totalled RM203,400 in 2023, rose to RM1.16mil in 2024 and jumped to RM4.22mil last year.
He said the collection reflected the effectiveness of integrated enforcement strategies and a higher level of compliance among foreign vehicle owners and drivers. He spoke at a press conference on Wednesday (Jan 28).
Muhammad Kifli said about 1,000 Thailand-registered vehicles operating across four border states remained under JPJ monitoring.
He said that from 2023 to 2025, JPJ recorded 11,946 cases involving vehicles without an ICP, 3,585 cases of drivers without a CDL and 5,573 cases involving failure to display the ICP in line with stipulated requirements.
He said Kedah topped the list with 37,527 cases, followed by Kelantan with 6,653 cases, due to their proximity to Thailand’s border entry points.
He advised foreign vehicle owners and drivers to settle outstanding fines and ensure all travel and vehicle documents were valid before entering or operating in the country.
Commenting on Ops Luxury involving high-end vehicles, Muhammad Kifli said that since its launch in July last year, JPJ seized 1,050 luxury vehicles of various makes, estimated to be worth more than RM200mil.
Among the vehicles seized were Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, BYD and Lamborghini. He said a recent operation in Karak, Pahang resulted in the seizure of six vehicles valued at about RM3mil.
He said the seizures proved effective in improving owner compliance, with about 90% of owners settling outstanding road tax arrears. He added that monitoring would continue, particularly in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. – Bernama
