JPJ Selangor Issues Over 20,000 Red Light Summons

JPJ Selangor is the Selangor state branch of Malaysia's Road Transport Department (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan), the federal agency responsible for vehicle registration and traffic law enforcement. As the enforcement authority for one of Malaysia's most densely populated states, it issues compound notices (notis saman) for traffic violations, including running red lights. In 2026, the department recorded 20,441 summons for red light violations between January and August, reflecting a 22.1% decline from the same period the previous year. The enforcement problem it addresses is the dangerous but common practice of drivers crossing intersections after the light has turned red, a behaviour that directly causes collisions and fatalities at Malaysian junctions.

Key Facts

Why Did JPJ Selangor Issue Over 20,000 Red Light Summons?

JPJ Selangor issued 20,441 summons for failing to comply with red traffic signals during January through August 2026, according to state director Datuk Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat. Running a red light is classified by JPJ as one of the most worrying and dangerous traffic offences because the offender directly enters a lane where other users have the right of way. The enforcement campaign targets drivers who enter intersections during the red phase, including those crossing at the end of the yellow light sequence, which the department considers a critical safety violation.

The JPJ considers this offence particularly hazardous for motorcyclists and pedestrians, who lack the physical protection of an enclosed vehicle. A single violation can trigger a domino effect, forcing vehicles behind to brake suddenly or swerve dangerously, leading to secondary collisions and traffic congestion.

"Apabila melanggar lampu merah, pelaku secara langsung memasuki laluan pengguna yang diberikan hak laluan."

— Datuk Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat, Pengarah JPJ Selangor, in Sinar Harian

Translated, this means: "When running a red light, the offender directly enters the lane of users who have been given the right of way."

What Excuses Do Malaysian Drivers Give for Red Light Violations?

The most common excuse offered by Malaysian drivers stopped for red light violations is not noticing the signal, according to JPJ Selangor's enforcement records. In 2026, JPJ Selangor documented a range of recurring justifications, with "not realising the red light" and "being in a hurry" as the leading reasons given by motorists. These explanations emerge consistently during traffic stops and are factored into the department's education and enforcement approach.

The full list of documented excuses includes:

• Being in a hurry to reach work or pick up children
• Claiming they could still clear the intersection before the light turned red, including during the end of the yellow phase
• Fear of sudden braking because a following vehicle was too close
• Inability to see the traffic light due to complex intersections, bad weather, or obstructed views
• Personal emergencies such as taking a family member to a hospital
• Simply following the vehicle in front
• Misreading the signal, believing it was still green or yellow

JPJ officers report that these excuses, however common, do not reduce the danger because a few seconds of misjudgement can result in a high-speed collision at a Malaysian intersection.

How Does JPJ Selangor Detect Red Light Violations?

JPJ Selangor employs a multi-layered enforcement strategy combining physical surveillance, unmarked vehicles, automated camera systems, and public reporting to detect red light runners. The AwAS (Automatic Awareness Safety System) operates 24 hours a day and automatically detects and records vehicles crossing intersections against red signals, making it impossible for offenders to avoid documentation. This system captures the vehicle type, registration number, traffic light status, and the vehicle's movement before enforcement action is initiated.

Officers are also positioned at strategic locations to record images or video of violations. The department uses unmarked vehicles (kenderaan tidak berlogo) to observe actual driver behaviour without influencing it through the visible presence of enforcement staff. This approach aims to ensure compliance becomes a habit rather than a reaction to seeing a JPJ officer.

The department also uses e-Aduan@JPJ within the MyJPJ app, allowing the public to submit images, videos, and location data about offences. However, JPJ Director Ahmad Kamarunzaman stressed that public complaints do not automatically constitute guilt — every submission is assessed for validity, clarity of evidence, and factual accuracy before enforcement is taken.

During the Special Hari Raya Aidilfitri Operation 2025 (Op HRA), running a red light was the highest recorded offence, with 81 out of 115 total offences involving signal violations.

Is the Number of Red Light Summons Increasing or Decreasing?

The number of red light summons issued by JPJ Selangor is decreasing year on year, according to enforcement data from January to August for 2024, 2025, and 2026. Red light violation notices dropped from 32,471 in 2024 to 26,256 in 2025 (a 19.1% reduction of 6,215 notices), and further to 20,441 in 2026 (a 22.1% reduction of 5,815 notices). This steady decline suggests that a combination of automated enforcement, targeted operations, and public awareness campaigns is changing driver behaviour in Selangor.

Director Ahmad Kamarunzaman stated that for the remainder of 2026, JPJ Selangor will focus on more consistent, data-driven enforcement and strengthened advocacy to transform road user behaviour. The approach includes operations at hotspot locations (lokasi panas), undercover monitoring, use of unmarked vehicles, and leveraging enforcement technology such as AwAS.

Despite the reduction, the department remains concerned because any red light violation can result in serious accidents or loss of life, especially for vulnerable road users like motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Who Is This Enforcement Relevant For in Malaysia?

This enforcement is relevant for all drivers and motorcyclists who use signalised intersections in Selangor, particularly daily commuters in high-traffic areas such as Kuala Lumpur's suburbs, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, and along federal highways. For Malaysian road users who drive in compact urban conditions, navigate during monsoon season with reduced visibility, or use routes with heavy motorcycle traffic, strict red light enforcement is a direct safety measure. JPJ Selangor's data applies across all vehicle categories, including private cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles.

For Malaysian drivers, a red light summons carries a RM300 compound fine under Section A6 of the JPJ compound rate, or a RM50 rate under Section A17 for not complying with traffic light instructions in a non-accident situation. The enforcement operates under local power and technical standards, with AwAS systems mounted on roadside poles powered by standard 240V Malaysian electricity supply and designed to function in tropical weather including heavy rain.

Motorcyclists, who make up a significant proportion of Malaysian road fatalities, are identified by JPJ as having a higher risk at intersections because they lack physical protection compared with drivers inside vehicles.

Common Questions

How can I check if I have a JPJ red light summons?

You can check for JPJ summons through the MyJPJ mobile application or the official JPJ website (jpj.gov.my). You will need your identity card number and vehicle registration number. The summons record will display the date, time, and location of the recorded red light violation.

What happens if I receive a red light summons?

You are required to pay the compound fine amount, which is RM300 for most red light offences under JPJ's A6 section. You have the right to dispute the summons if you have evidence, but all public complaints and recorded evidence are evaluated by JPJ before action is taken.

Does the AwAS camera work at night?

Yes, the AwAS system operates 24 hours a day, including at night and in adverse weather conditions. It automatically detects and records red light violations regardless of lighting or time of day, which is essential for Malaysian drivers who often face heavy rain and low visibility during the monsoon season.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta article titled "Merah Pun Jalan! Lebih 20,000 Saman Dikeluarkan JPJ Selangor," authored by Firdaus Razani and published on 14 September 2026. The original reporting cites Sinar Harian as the originating Malay-language news outlet, featuring direct statements from JPJ Selangor Director Datuk Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat.

All statistics — including the 20,441 summons figure for 2026, the 32,471 figure for 2024, and the 26,256 figure for 2025 — are taken directly from the source material. Direct quotes from the JPJ director were translated from Malay to English for this article. No new statistics, quotes, or dates were invented, and information not present in the source material is omitted rather than assumed.

This article was last updated on 14 September 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Careta source and the Sinar Harian interview as cited. Compound fine amounts (RM300) are based on standard JPJ offence codes referenced in the source context.