JPJ, Immigration Dept Act Against Companies Hiring Unlicensed Foreign Drivers

SHAH ALAM, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will collaborate with the Immigration Department to carry out integrated enforcement operations against companies or lorry operators that employ foreign nationals as drivers without valid driving licences.

JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the integrated enforcement approach is the latest measure taken by the department following repeated cases involving lorry drivers - particularly garbage truck drivers - who were found driving without valid licences and misusing work permits, including those employed by cleaning companies owned by the Selangor government.

He said that despite previous warnings and engagement sessions, the department found that some cleaning companies continued to employ foreigners without valid driving licences as lorry drivers, posing a safety risk to other road users.

“Based on statistics from January to date, Selangor JPJ has detected 5,915 offences involving foreign drivers during a series of operations targeting cleaning companies.

“Of that number, 2,170 summonses were issued for various offences, while 1,729 inspection notices, 1,620 vehicle prohibition notices, 154 interrogation notices, 138 seizure notices and 104 notices requesting driver details were also issued,” he said at a press conference at the Selangor JPJ headquarters here today.

Muhammad Kifli said that in the past 10 days, a total of 25 garbage trucks belonging to the same company had been seized, mainly because they were driven by unlicensed foreign drivers, did not have road tax or insurance, and were poorly maintained.

He said the existing penalty rate under the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a fine of between RM300 and RM1,000, is too lenient and lacks a deterrent effect on the companies or lorry operators involved.

“For the 25 lorries seized, JPJ will take action to revoke their permits under the Land Public Transport Act (APAD). However, this action alone is still insufficient, as companies that hire illegal drivers are not directly penalised.

“Most of these workers were found to have misused their work permits, and all 25 cases will be referred to the Immigration Department for further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63,” he said.

Muhammad Kifli said the integrated enforcement operation between JPJ and Immigration Department is a new measure aimed at addressing repeat offences and preventing accidents, particularly those involving heavy vehicles.

-- BERNAMA