IT HAS become an increasingly common sight on Malaysian roads: a hawker weaving between cars at a red light, carrying bags of sliced guava or drinks, tapping on windows before the light turns green.
For drivers who stop to buy, it feels like a small act of kindness towards someone working under the brutal Malaysian sun.
But that quick RM5 transaction could turn out to be significantly more expensive than the fruit. Can buying from traffic light hawkers actually land you in jail?
Verdict:
TRUE
Most Malaysians know that the hawkers themselves are doing something illegal, but far fewer realise that the buyer is just as guilty under Malaysian law.
Fact-checkers at MyCheck Malaysia investigated after receiving a public query about whether drivers could be fined for buying goods at traffic light junctions, accompanied by a viral video showing a motorcyclist nearly colliding with a fruit seller who was standing in the middle of the road conducting a transaction with a driver.
According to the police, buying goods at a traffic light junction is an offence under Rule 10A(2) of the Road Traffic Rules 1959, and applies to both drivers and passengers in the vehicle.
The penalty is a fine of up to RM2,000 or a maximum of six months in jail.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa confirmed the law applied to buyers as well as sellers.
"Traders are advised to find a more suitable and safe business location," ACP Mohd Zamzuri said.
"Similarly, buyers should not risk purchasing goods sold at traffic light junctions as it can cause congestion or worse, lead to road accidents."
Selling goods at a junction or on a road to occupants of a vehicle was a separate but related offence under Rule 10A(1) of the same regulations, aimed at preventing danger to road users and traffic congestion.
In 2022, police conducted a special operation called Ops Khas Penjaja Jalanan specifically targeting hawkers at traffic light junctions nationwide, issuing 215 summonses and taking 137 advocacy actions against traders.
The Road Transport Department also classified buying and selling at road junctions as a traffic offence, with compounds for buyers ranging from RM150 to RM300 under its official schedule of offences.
MyCheck noted that netizens were divided on the issue, with many drivers admitting they bought from junction hawkers out of sympathy for people working under the hot sun, viewing the transaction as a way of sharing good fortune.
However, others criticised the practice on safety grounds, sharing accounts of accidents linked to roadside transactions, and raising hygiene concerns over reports that some goods, particularly food, were stored near drains before being sold.
The bottom line is simple: both buying and selling at traffic light junctions are illegal, and no bag of fruit is worth a fine of up to RM2,000 or worse, a stint behind bars.
Sources:
1. https://mycheck.my/gemar-
2. https://www.facebook.com/
5. https://www.jpj.gov.my/wp-
