JPJ to Seize Foreign Riders' Three-Wheel Motorcycles
JPJ to Seize Three-Wheel Motorcycles Ridden by Foreigners in Malaysia
The Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), or the Road Transport Department of Malaysia, is the government agency responsible for this directive. The department has ordered the immediate seizure of three-wheel motorcycles found to be ridden by foreigners without valid driving documents. This enforcement action targets a specific road safety violation in Malaysia.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Enforcement Agency | Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) |
| Order Date | 15-09-2026 |
| Action | Immediate seizure ("sita terus") of three-wheel motorcycles |
| Target | Foreigners riding without valid driving documents |
| Official Statement By | Ketua Pengarah JPJ, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli |
| Enforcement Lead | Pengarah Kanan Penguat Kuasa JPJ, Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan |
| Special Operation | Operasi Pemandu Warga Asing (Op PEWA) |
| Vehicle Category | Three-wheel motorcycles (motosikal roda tiga) |
| Legal Consequence | Seizure of vehicle; legal action against vehicle owners who permit use |
What Is the JPJ Enforcement Action Against Foreign Riders?
The JPJ enforcement action is a directive to seize three-wheel motorcycles immediately when they are found to be ridden by foreigners without valid driving permits in Malaysia. The order, announced on 15-09-2026, applies to all public roads across the country.
"Motosikal roda tiga yang ditemui ketika operasi akan terus disita bagi menghalang kenderaan terbabit daripada digunakan di jalan raya."
— Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, Ketua Pengarah JPJ, speaking to Berita Harian
The JPJ has confirmed it has identified the modus operandi of these foreign riders, including intelligence on the Malaysian vehicle owners who supply the motorcycles.
How Will JPJ Execute the Seizure of Three-Wheel Motorcycles?
JPJ will execute the seizure during its standard and targeted enforcement operations, not through a specific operation for three-wheel motorcycles. The department does not run a special operation for this category because the number of such vehicles on Malaysian roads is not high.
Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli confirmed that no special operation has been planned for this vehicle class. Instead, officers will seize any offending three-wheel motorcycle immediately when they encounter it during existing patrols and roadblocks. The general enforcement plan is based on annual procedures and standard operating procedures (SOP) developed by the department.
Effective enforcement will rely on existing road patrols and the targeted Operasi Pemandu Warga Asing (Op PEWA) rather than a dedicated three-wheel motorcycle operation.
Who Faces Penalties Under This JPJ Order?
Two groups face penalties under this order: the foreign riders without valid documents, and the Malaysian vehicle owners who allow them to use their motorcycles. The JPJ has publicly stated that enforcement will not only punish the driver.
The Ketua Pengarah clarified that owners who permit their vehicles to be used by these foreign riders can also be charged under Malaysian law. Senior Enforcement Director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan has been instructed to increase efforts to eradicate unlicensed foreign drivers on the roads.
Vehicle owners who knowingly allow foreigners without valid driving documents to use their three-wheel motorcycles are subject to legal action alongside the rider.
Who Is This For in Malaysia?
This directive primarily concerns Malaysian vehicle owners and foreign nationals residing or working in Malaysia who currently ride three-wheel motorcycles. It is also directly relevant to enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and legal professionals dealing with road transport offenses.
The policy addresses a specific, identified problem: unlicensed riding by foreigners. The JPJ's public statement notes that while the number of three-wheel motorcycles is low, the risk they pose is sufficient to warrant immediate seizure. The directive falls under the broader umbrella of unlicensed foreign driver enforcement, a priority area for Malaysia's road safety agenda.
This JPJ order is most relevant to Malaysian citizens who own three-wheel motorcycles and any foreign national operating any vehicle on Malaysian roads without a valid Malaysian driving licence.
Common Questions
Does the JPJ seizure order apply to all foreigners or just those without documents?
The order applies strictly to foreigners riding without valid driving documents. The JPJ statement focuses on foreigners who lack legitimate permits. Foreigners with valid Malaysian driving licences are not the target of this specific seizure directive.
Will JPJ conduct special operations for three-wheel motorcycles?
No. As of the 15-09-2026 statement, JPJ does not run a special operation for this vehicle category. Seizures will occur as part of regular enforcement duties and the targeted Operasi Pemandu Warga Asing (Op PEWA) when officers encounter offending three-wheel motorcycles.
What happens to the owner of a three-wheel motorcycle ridden by a foreigner?
The owner can also face legal action under Malaysian law. The Ketua Pengarah JPJ stated that those who permit their vehicles to be used by unlicensed foreign riders will not be exempt from enforcement.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta article titled "JPJ Arah Motosikal Roda Tiga Ditunggang Warga Asing Terus Disita" published on 15-09-2026. That article cites an original report by Berita Harian.
This summary has been translated from Malay to English (British spelling) for accessibility. Currency conversions are not applicable to this enforcement update. This article was last updated on the publication date of 15-09-2026 and verified against the source material.