Penang JPJ impounded 73 luxury vehicles, including BMW and Rolls-Royce, for expired road tax and insurance, causing RM146,204 in lost revenue
BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Road Transport Department (JPJ) seized 73 luxury vehicles valued at over RM10 million in operations conducted throughout 2024.
State JPJ director Zulkifly Ismail said the vehicles were impounded for offences involving expired road tax and invalid insurance coverage.
BMW vehicles topped the list with 23 units confiscated, followed by other high-end brands like Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Mini Cooper and Lotus.
The offences resulted in an estimated RM146,204 loss in government revenue, with an unpaid Rolls-Royce road tax alone amounting to RM54,000 annually.
“Various brands were impounded, including some belonging to dignitaries, businessmen and individuals with the title ‘Datuk’,” Zulkifly told reporters.
He said some owners had failed to renew their road tax and insurance for periods ranging from two to five years.
Owners commonly cited forgetfulness or business downturns leading to financial difficulties as excuses.
The remarks were made at a press conference following an integrated operation on commercial vehicles at the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza.
That operation from 8pm to midnight involved 120 personnel from various agencies including the police and environment department.
Separately, Zulkifly said JPJ inspected 153,000 vehicles across various categories in the state last year.
Enforcement action was taken against 58,147 vehicles, with 121,526 offences detected.
The most common offence was driving without a valid licence, followed by vehicles without valid road tax and insurance.
For public transport, JPJ detected 230 cases of express and tour buses operating without a mandatory second driver.
“Bus operators cited cost-cutting as the reason, despite regulations for journeys exceeding 300 kilometres,” he said.
Some bus drivers also did not possess the required vocational driving licence, with operators aiming to pay lower wages.
Another 313 cases involved bus passengers failing to wear seat belts, with passengers commonly claiming they forgot.
