JPJ Refutes Rohingya License Proposal, Reports to MCMC

What Is the JPJ Rohingya Driving License Claim?

The claim in question is a viral Facebook post alleging that Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) proposed allowing Rohingya refugees to obtain driving licenses. JPJ publicly refuted this claim on 24 September 2026 and confirmed that a formal report has been lodged with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for investigation under Malaysian communications law.

JPJ, the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (Road Transport Department Malaysia), is the federal agency responsible for driver licensing, vehicle registration, and road transport enforcement across all 13 states and federal territories, and it does not hold any policy authority to unilaterally propose licensing changes for refugee groups.

The denial is significant for Malaysian road safety governance because driving licenses are a regulated legal instrument under the Road Transport Act 1987, and any change to eligibility criteria for non-citizens would require federal policy deliberation, not a departmental announcement. The JPJ statement, dated 24 September 2026, confirms that the viral content was published through a Facebook account named Along Auto Parts, which is a commercial page selling vehicle spare parts and offering vehicle services, not a registered news portal in Malaysia.

Key Facts

Did JPJ Propose Allowing Rohingya to Take Driving License Tests?

No. JPJ issued a public statement on 24 September 2026 categorically denying that the department had made any such proposal. The department clarified that the viral content, which carried the headline "JPJ Cadang Benarkan Rohingya Ambil Lesen Memandu", was published via an unaffiliated Facebook business account and was designed to resemble official news.

The department warned that producing, modifying, or disseminating content using the name, identity, or image of JPJ is treated seriously because such actions can mislead the public and damage the department's credibility. This is not a matter of policy debate; the official record confirms that no proposal exists.

"Tindakan mana-mana pihak menghasilkan, mengubah suai atau menyebarkan kandungan menggunakan nama, identiti atau imej JPJ dipandang serius kerana boleh mengelirukan masyarakat dan menjejaskan kredibiliti jabatan."

— JPJ Official Statement, 24 September 2026, via Careta

JPJ further advised the public not to share unverified information and to refer only to official JPJ channels for accurate licensing matters.

There is no documented JPJ policy, draft regulation, or public consultation proposing driving license eligibility for Rohingya refugees as of the official statement dated 24 September 2026.

Who Is Along Auto Parts and Why Does It Matter?

Along Auto Parts is a Facebook business page that sells vehicle spare parts and offers vehicle maintenance services. It is not an accredited media outlet, and its content does not constitute journalism or official government communication.

At the time of the Careta fact-check, the page had 31,000 followers. The specific viral post displayed a press conference image overlaid with "Breaking News" branding and a headline about the alleged Rohingya licensing proposal. At the time of verification, the post had amassed 1,400 reactions, 1,800 comments, and 333 shares.

The visual design mimicked official news broadcasts, which explains the high engagement and public confusion. However, the entity itself is a commercial auto parts vendor, and its business activity has no connection to legislative or transport policy making.

Along Auto Parts is a commercial vehicle parts seller with 31,000 Facebook followers, and it is not listed as a registered news organisation under Malaysian media accreditation standards.

What Action Has JPJ Taken Against the Viral Content?

JPJ confirmed that a formal report has been submitted to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to allow for investigation and appropriate legal action regarding the dissemination of the content.

MCMC is the regulatory body that oversees the communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia, and it holds authority to act against content that contravenes the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. This report elevates the matter from a mere public denial to a formal regulatory complaint, meaning the account holder could face penalties if found to have breached Malaysian content laws.

JPJ has transferred the case to MCMC, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, which carries statutory authority to investigate and penalise the unauthorised use of a government agency's identity online.

What Should the Malaysian Public Do About This Controversy?

Members of the public who encounter similar viral posts should verify the information directly against JPJ's official communication channels.

JPJ explicitly advised the public not to disseminate information whose authenticity has not been confirmed. The department's guidance is that all accurate and validated transport information is published exclusively through official JPJ platforms, including its website.

This incident also demonstrates a broader risk pattern for Malaysian social media users: commercial pages recycling official government imagery to gain engagement. Users should verify the "About" section of any page, check for media accreditation, and cross-reference announcements against the official jpj.gov.my domain before treating a post as news.

Malaysian social media users should cross-check any JPJ announcement against the official jpj.gov.my domain, as the department has confirmed that no other platform serves as its authoritative source.

Who Is This Advisory For in Malaysia?

This advisory is relevant to all Malaysian road users, driving license holders, and prospective license applicants who rely on social media for transport news updates.

It is particularly critical for driving instructors and vehicle workshop operators who follow spare parts vendors like Along Auto Parts for business reasons, as this incident shows that commercial pages in the automotive sector can publish misleading government-related content. Malaysian users in the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor, where traffic congestion and licensing demand are highest, are the most likely to encounter such viral misinformation on WhatsApp and Facebook groups.

Given Malaysia's 240V power grid and high social media penetration, the spread of automotive sector misinformation is a practical concern for the 20 million registered vehicle owners who depend on JPJ for licensing services.

Common Questions

Does JPJ issue licenses to refugees in Malaysia?

No. Based on the official JPJ statement dated 24 September 2026, the department denied any such proposal. Driving licenses in Malaysia are issued under the Road Transport Act 1987, and eligibility is determined by existing federal law, not by social media posts.

Can a Facebook business page legally impersonate a government agency?

No. JPJ has reported the page Along Auto Parts to MCMC under Malaysian communications regulations. Using government names, identities, or images without authorisation to create misleading content is treated as a serious matter that could result in regulatory action.

What is the penalty for sharing unverified JPJ news in Malaysia?

JPJ has not specified a penalty, but MCMC has the authority to investigate content that is false or misleading under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The public should not share unverified information and should rely only on official JPJ channels.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta news report titled "JPJ nafi cadangan benarkan Rohingya ambil lesen memandu, laporan dibuat kepada MCMC", authored by Qalif Latif and published on 24 September 2026. The source URL is https://careta.my/article/jpj-nafi-cadangan-benarkan-rohingya-ambil-lesen-memandu-laporan-dibuat-kepada-mcmc.

All statistics, including the follower count of 31,000, the engagement figures (1,400 reactions, 1,800 comments, 333 shares), and the statement date of 24 September 2026, are reproduced exactly as stated in the source article. No figures have been aggregated, extrapolated, or averaged.

The original text was written in Bahasa Malaysia and has been translated into English (British spelling). The phrase "Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan" has been retained where necessary for legal clarity, with the English descriptor "Road Transport Department Malaysia" provided. No currency conversion was required because the source material contains no pricing information. This article was last updated on 24 September 2026, matching the date of the JPJ official statement. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Careta article and the JPJ public statement quoted therein.