Two foreign men were detained after they were found driving luxury vehicles during Ops Luxury conducted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
The two men, a 36-year-old Rohingya man and a 51-year-old Bangladeshi Permanent Resident, were each driving a BMW 525 and a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV.
The BMW driver bought the vehicle from a local
According to JPJ Senior Director of Enforcement Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, both vehicles were found to have expired Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM), also known as road tax, as reported by Kosmo!.
The BMW 525, driven by the 36-year-old Rohingya man, was stopped along Jalan Pasir Hor on 19 September, while the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV was stopped in Tunjong the following day.
Further checks found that the BMW had no valid road tax or insurance, while its driver, who is suspected of running a retail business in Kelantan, also did not have a driving licence.
Muhammad Kifli added that the Rohingya man was believed to have bought the BMW from a local, although its ownership could not be transferred to a foreign national.
“Imagine, he arrived by boat, came to Malaysia, and suddenly he could drive a BMW,” he said.
JPJ denies allowing Rohingya individuals to obtain driving cicences
Muhammad Kifli said the Bangladeshi man, who was driving the RM780,000 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, had reportedly been working as a contractor in the state for the past 10 years.
He also firmly denied a viral claim on social media that JPJ would allow Rohingya individuals to obtain driving licences.
“This has never been discussed or decided by JPJ. It is legally impossible because this group is not recognised by any country, and the documents held by Rohingya individuals are considered invalid for them to obtain driving licences.”
JPJ also stressed that the price, brand, or ownership status of a vehicle does not exempt anyone from legal action.
