JPJ issues stern warning: Companies risk losing lorries if they hire foreign drivers under new rule

GOMBAK, Aug 8 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has begun enforcing strict action, including seizing vehicles owned by companies and licensed operators that employ foreigners to drive commercial vehicles, effective yesterday.

JPJ’s Senior Director of Enforcement, Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, said this enforcement covers lorries, public service vehicles (PSVs), and tour buses driven by foreign nationals.

He explained that under current regulations, foreigners are not permitted to hold Vocational Licences such as the Goods Driver’s Licence (GDL) or Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, and violating this is a serious offence.

“In such cases, action can be taken under Sections 22, 41, and 57 of the Land Public Transport Act (APAD) 2010 for breaching permit conditions. Section 80 of APAD 2010 also empowers officers to seize the vehicles and bring them to court for forfeiture if the company is found guilty,” he said during a press conference at the JPJ Enforcement Station today.

He said the enforcement follows a growing trend of companies and operators hiring foreign drivers for about RM2,500 a month, some of whom are repeat offenders.

As of July, JPJ issued 2,733 summonses against foreigners driving commercial vehicles — 2,551 for not having a GDL, 93 for not holding a PSV, and 89 for overloading offences.

“Transport companies and operators are reminded to comply with all regulations and ensure that employees possess valid documentation and licences,” he said, adding that continuous inspections and joint operations with other enforcement agencies will persist, with firm action taken against violators under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), APAD 2010 (Act 715), and other relevant laws.

During an operation in Selayang yesterday, JPJ found a foreign lorry driver in possession of a fake MyKad and forged driving licences.

“Further checks revealed that the MyKad, Competent Driving Licence (CDL), and Goods Vehicle Licence (GDL) were all counterfeit. Forging such documents is a serious offence,” he said, noting that investigations will be carried out into the syndicate behind the fake licences.

In a separate case, an Indonesian lorry driver was detained in Sungai Pusu, Gombak for driving without any documents and was handed over to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department (JIM) for further action.

He added that previous JPJ operations also uncovered multiple cases of foreign drivers using fake licences. — Bernama