Immigration warns foreign motorists

Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali. -Bernamapic

PUTRAJAYA: Foreign workers and expatriates risk being deported if they flout traffic rules often while staying in the country, a proposal welcomed by bosses.

This is a measure the Immigration Department is considering to ensure foreigners who are in the country abide by the country’s laws.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said his department had received a proposal by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to deport foreigners who continuously commit traffic violations.

“We were told that there are some foreigners who are repeat and habitual traffic offenders.

“This needs to be dealt with seriously. We cannot have people come to our country and flout our laws,” he said after a meeting with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation here yesterday.

Mustafar said the Immigration Department had the authority to deport such errant foreigners.

Speeding, beating the red light, driving without a licence and not in possession of a valid road tax are among the traffic offences ­foreigners have committed while in Malaysia.

Mustafar said while the number was low, the matter was still viewed seriously.

He did not reveal the figure.

“Before we issue a repatriation order, we will get the JPJ and prosecutors to present their case. If they have a strong reason to ask the Immigration to revoke the person’s visa or permit, then we will,” he added.

JPJ deputy director-general ­(operations) Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said while ­driving licences of some countries were accepted in Malaysia, there were various processes based on the originating countries, such as a requirement that a letter of recognition be issued.

“For those who don’t have a ­driving licence at all, they will just have to go to the driving schools just like any other Malaysian, but using their passports as their ID,” he added.

Wan Ahmad Uzir said a foreigner holding his country’s driving licence could drive in Malaysia as long as the licence was valid.

It must be accompanied by a translation in English or Malay (if the language in the licence document is foreign), and has been confirmed by the embassy of the originating country or the authority that issued the licence.

Malaysia Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said the move to repatriate foreign workers who were habitual traffic offenders would give the necessary message to foreign workers that they too needed to comply with the laws of Malaysia.

“This is part of the conditions on their work permits.”