SHAH ALAM: A total of 21 vehicles, mainly luxury MPVs, were seized by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) for offering illegal taxi services to tourists.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the crackdown labelled Ops Khas Kenderaan Sapu was carried out following complaints that tourists were being fleeced for their rides.
"There was a case where a tourist paid S$300 (RM993) for a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore when the actual rate was about RM300.
"We are clamping down on such illegal activities as it tarnishes the country's image," he told reporters at a press conference at Selangor JPJ here on Thursday (Sept 12).
Aedy Fadly said this was the first time JPJ had carried out operations against touts and illegal taxis at several leading hotels and tourist spots in the Klang Valley.
"Such operations were usually carried out at airports around the country. We decided to conduct the operation here following recent complaints," he said.
He said the operations from Sept 2 to Sept 6 saw JPJ enforcement officers inspecting 35 vehicles and seizing 21.
"A total of 21 summonses were issued against the vehicle owners and drivers for abusing their Motor Vehicle License (LKM).
"They face a fine from RM1,000 to RM10,000 or two years' jail if found guilty," he said.
He said such illegal taxi services had been going on for a while, with assistance from third parties.
He added that the JPJ would work together with relevant tourism authorities to improve enforcement against such illegal activities.
Aedy Fadly said that the special operations would also be expanded nationwide to safeguard the country's image as a tourist destination.
