Kelantan JPJ Seizes 12 Modified Cars Under Ops Ekstrem

What Is the JPJ Ops Ekstrem Enforcement Operation?

Ops Ekstrem is a targeted enforcement operation by Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) designed to identify, issue summonses for, and seize vehicles with extreme or non-compliant modifications. It addresses public safety concerns related to illegal exhaust systems, improper engine changes, altered ground clearance, and other technical violations that affect vehicle roadworthiness.

In September 2026, the **Kelantan JPJ** conducted an Ops Ekstrem operation in Kota Bharu. **The operation is part of a nationwide crackdown on excessive vehicle modifications, encompassing both cars and motorcycles, and is a key compliance mechanism for Malaysian vehicle owners who modify their vehicles beyond the permitted technical specifications.**

Under the operation, JPJ officers inspect vehicles for adherence to the Road Transport Act 1987. The operation covers offences such as non-compliant exhausts, changed engines, lowered suspension, excessive tint, and faulty lighting. For Malaysian motorists, this operation signals that modifications must be approved, and non-compliance can lead to fines, seizure, and court appearances.

Key Facts

**No monetary fines or seizure costs were disclosed in the source material, and vehicle pricing for seized units was not made public. According to the source, 3,600 vehicles were inspected and 1,130 were acted against during the September 2026 operation.**

What Was Seized During the Kelantan Ops Ekstrem Operation?

The Kelantan JPJ seized 10 cars and two motorcycles during the operation. The seizures were executed under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which permits the impounding of vehicles for specific technical and documentation infringements.

The state JPJ director, Mohd Misuari Abdullah, described the breakdown of car-related offences during the operation. According to Bernama, the director reported the following specifics:

“The technical offences involving cars included nine cases of non-compliant exhausts, three cases each involving engine changes and altered ground clearance, as well as one case each involving excessive windscreen tint, a cracked windscreen, faulty rear lights and non-compliant number plates.”

— Mohd Misuari Abdullah, State JPJ Director, via Bernama

Motorcycle-specific offences included non-compliant tyre sizes, number plates, reflectors, brakes, chain covers, and exhausts. **Across the broader operation, 12 vehicles were seized under Section 64(1), representing 10 cars and two motorbikes in Kota Bharu.**

Which Legal Sections Were Applied by JPJ?

JPJ officers applied specific sections of the Road Transport Act 1987 to process the violations. The operation utilised four distinct legal instruments: P22 summonses, Section 61(1) directives, Section 64(1) seizures, and Section 114 investigation notices.

The 131 notices issued during the dawn operation included 52 P22 saman (compound notices), 32 vehicle inspection directives under Section 61(1), 12 seizure notices under Section 64(1), and two investigation notices under Section 114. The P22 summons is a standard notice for compounding traffic offences, while Section 61(1) typically relates to vehicle inspection requirements.

Seizure under Section 64(1) allows the department to impound vehicles failing to meet technical standards. Section 114 notices generally initiate a more formal investigation. **In 2026, the Kelantan JPJ has conducted 18 Ops Ekstrem activities, issuing a total of 5,616 notices to motorists for various offences.**

How Extensive Is JPJ Enforcement Against Modified Cars in 2026?

JPJ enforcement against modified vehicles in 2026 extends beyond individual seizures and is a measurable, nationwide pattern. Data from the Kelantan operation indicates a large volume of inspections alongside a specific subset of extreme modification cases.

During the September operation, JPJ personnel inspected 3,600 vehicles. Of that total, 1,130 vehicles were acted against, and 278 were seized. Only 82 cases were classified as extreme modifications, while the remaining 2,218 offences were categorised as other violations. This means that modifications classified as "extreme" constitute approximately 7% of all recorded offences in this specific operation.

A related operation in Kuala Lumpur earlier in September 2026 led to the seizure of 37 excessively modified cars, with offences including flaming exhausts and air suspension systems. **The Kelantan JPJ recorded 82 cases of extreme modification out of 3,600 vehicles inspected, with 1,130 vehicles acted against nationwide in a single operation window.**

What Do the Statistics Reveal About Mod Offences in Kelantan?

Statistics from the Ops Ekstrem operation reveal a high volume of enforcement activity relative to extreme modifications. Out of 3,600 inspections, only 12 vehicles were seized under Section 64(1), illustrating a targeted approach by JPJ rather than indiscriminate action against all modified vehicles.

The ratio of extreme modifications (82 cases) to overall offences (2,218 cases) shows that general roadworthiness issues, such as faulty lights or tyres, are more prevalent than full extreme modifications. The data supports a focus on safety-critical violations rather than merely aesthetic changes. Kelantan JPJ has been active all year, with 18 Ops Ekstrem activities leading to 5,616 notices issued.

These figures do not include data from other states, nor do they aggregate the KL operation totals. The overall monthly national enforcement total for September 2026 has not been disclosed in this source. **According to the source, Kelantan JPJ issued 5,616 notices across 18 Ops Ekstrem activities in 2026; the single Kota Bharu operation contributed 131 of these notices.**

Which Modifications Are Most Commonly Penalised?

The most commonly penalised modification in Kelantan is the non-compliant exhaust system. JPJ recorded nine cases involving cars alone, and exhaust violations were also the most frequent issue among the motorcycles pulled over during the operation.

Following exhaust issues, the second most common violations were engine changes and altered ground clearance, with three cases each. Less frequent but still penalised were excessive windscreen tint, cracked windscreens, faulty rear lights, and non-compliant number plates among cars. For motorcycles, JPJ flagged non-compliant tyre sizes, reflectors, brakes, and chain covers.

**Non-compliant exhausts are the dominant technical offence, accounting for 9 of the total car-related cases in the Kelantan operation, followed by engine changes and altered ground clearance with 3 cases each.**

Who Is This Enforcement Relevant To in Malaysia?

This enforcement is directly relevant to owners of modified cars and motorcycles across Malaysia, particularly those in the northern states and urban centres with active aftermarket cultures. It specifically targets individuals who modify exhausts, suspension, or engines without obtaining proper JPJ approval.

For Malaysian users in apartments or landed properties, the operation is relevant for several reasons. First, "flaming exhausts" and modified exhaust systems contribute to noise pollution, often disturbing residential communities. Second, lowered vehicles frequently have reduced ground clearance, which can be impractical for Malaysian roads and speed bumps. Third, the 240V power grid and local heat conditions do not factor into these vehicle violations, but drivers considering air suspension should verify compliance due to the KL seizure of 37 cars involving air suspension systems.

The enforcement is also relevant for those considering engine transplants. The source references a prior example of a Proton Exora with a Mazda diesel engine, indicating that engine swaps are a specific area of focus. **This operation affects Malaysian car owners who have installed non-compliant exhausts, engine changes, or lowered suspension, as these were the top three car-specific offences cited in the Kota Bharu clampdown.**

How Does This Compare to the KL Ops Ekstrem?

Kelantan and Kuala Lumpur operations differ significantly in scale. The KL operation earlier in September 2026 resulted in the seizure of 37 excessively modified cars. In contrast, the Kelantan operation seized 12 vehicles total, comprising 10 cars and two motorcycles.

**The KL operation involved 37 seized vehicles and featured flaming exhausts and air suspension, whereas the Kelantan operation involved 12 vehicles with a focus on exhausts, engine changes, and lowered clearance.**

Common Questions

What is a P22 saman under Ops Ekstrem?

A P22 saman is a compound notice issued by JPJ for traffic and vehicle-related offences under the Road Transport Act 1987. During the Kelantan operation, 52 P22 summonses were issued. It requires the recipient to pay a fine or contest the notice in court.

Can I be stopped for a modified exhaust in Kota Bharu?

Yes. Non-compliant exhausts were the most common car offence during the operation, with nine cases recorded. JPJ officers can stop vehicles at any time. Kelantan has conducted 18 operations this year, so enforcement is active, not rare, and exhaust modifications are the top target.

What happens if my car is seized under Section 64(1)?

Your vehicle is impounded by JPJ. You will receive a seizure notice, and you must resolve the issue, which may involve inspection, rectification of the modification, or court proceedings. In this operation, 12 seizure notices were issued under this section.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the following source material:

• Paul Tan's Automotive News: "Kelantan JPJ seizes 12 excessively-modified vehicles under Ops Ekstrem – engine changes, exhausts, lowered" (September 2026).
• Bernama news agency report on the Kelantan JPJ Ops Ekstrem operation.
• Paul Tan's Automotive News: "JPJ seizes 37 excessively-modified cars in KL under Ops Ekstrem – lowered, flaming exhausts, air suspension" (September 2026).

The original source is in English and no currency conversions were required as no fines or costs were reported. All Malaysian legal terminology and vehicle classifications have been preserved. The article synthesises multiple sources to provide operational context. This article was last updated on 5 June 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the JPJ statements made to Bernama and reported by Paul Tan's Automotive News.