KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has uncovered an illegal transport service targeting tourists and seized 10 vehicles in a special operation here.
Kuala Lumpur JPJ director Hamidi Adam said the operation was carried out on Saturday (Oct 11) night in the city's high-traffic areas including Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Sultan Ismail.
He said of the 10 vehicles seized, five were driven by foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Yemen, India and Sudan, while the remaining vehicles were operated by locals.
"35 passengers from various countries, including China, Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Palestine and Iraq, were using these services to travel to the airport or other tourist destinations," he said.
Hamidi added that some passengers paid up to RM2,100 for a trip package from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, which covered both accommodation and transportation.
He said these illegal transport operators would wait near hotels, particularly around peak check-out time at noon, to lure tourists.
Hamidi reminded travel agencies to ensure that vehicles used to transport tourists have a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operator's licence.
Drivers of the 10 vehicles seized were found to have violated several laws, including misuse of the Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM), operating without a PSV operator's licence or proper driver's licences.
Summonses were issued to the drivers and vehicle owners under Section 80 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 16(1) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010. – Bernama
