Malaysia’s Selangor Road Transport Department (JPJ) has announced strict action against local vehicle owners who rent their vehicles to foreign nationals, saying offenders will no longer receive warnings and will instead be prosecuted directly in court.

Selangor JPJ Deputy Director Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat said motorcycles were among the vehicles most frequently rented out to foreigners, with rental arrangements offered on daily, weekly and monthly basis.

He said the rented vehicles were often used by foreigners for business activities, including selling food and transporting gas cylinders and scrap materials.

“The activities not only pose risks to other road users but also constitute violations of the law. Local vehicle owners involved will be brought to court without compromise,” he told a press conference at the Selangor JPJ office in Padang Jawa on Thursday.

According to JPJ data, 239 foreign drivers faced enforcement action under the Foreign Driver Operation in Selangor between January and June 17.

Authorities also took action against 304 vehicles during the same period, with 95 of them seized for further investigation.

The main offences detected included driving without a valid Competent Driving Licence (CDL), Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM), vocational licence (GDL) and insurance coverage.

Ahmad Kamarunzaman said vehicle owners, employers and transport companies remained fully responsible for offences committed by individuals using their vehicles, including foreign nationals.

Under Section 109 of Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987, registered vehicle owners can be prosecuted for allowing such offences, while Section 64 of the same Act empowers JPJ to seize vehicles driven by foreigners without valid licences.