14-8-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Singaporean motorists have emerged as the largest group of foreign drivers with unpaid traffic fines in Malaysia, accumulating an estimated RM3.5 million (approximately $1 million) in outstanding penalties. This figure highlights a significant issue for Malaysian authorities, who are grappling with the challenge of collecting fines from foreign drivers.
According to a report by Utusan Malaysia on 13 August, a staggering 35,011 traffic summonses have been issued to Singaporean motorists from 1990 through June 2024. This accounts for the majority of the 51,128 outstanding fines involving drivers from Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand. Motorists from Brunei and Thailand owe a combined RM1.6 million in fines.
In response to the mounting unpaid fines, the Royal Malaysia Police’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department has announced that foreign drivers with outstanding fines will face action as they enter or exit Malaysia. Commissioner Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, who heads the department, revealed this as part of the Foreigners’ Outstanding Summons Operation, aimed at ensuring compliance with Malaysian traffic laws.
In a broader context, Malaysia faces an overwhelming number of unpaid traffic summonses, with nearly 41 million cases outstanding. The total unpaid fines are estimated to be worth RM4 billion, a significant financial burden on the government.
Commissioner Yusri, who took office on 15 July, has stated that notices will be sent to traffic offenders, urging them to settle their fines. Failure to do so could result in offenders being blacklisted by the Road Transport Department, potentially preventing them from entering or leaving the country.
The commissioner also identified six key traffic offences that are contributing to the high number of unpaid fines: running red lights, driving in the emergency lane, overtaking on double lines, using a mobile phone while driving, queue-cutting, and speeding. These infractions are being closely monitored as part of the government’s efforts to improve road safety and enforce traffic laws more effectively.
