Kota bharu: The Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) has seized six vehicles in a crackdown on the misuse of private vehicles for transporting passengers for payment without a permit. Its director, Mohd Misuari Abdullah, stated that the vehicles were seized under Section 81(1) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715) after being detected committing various offences related to licensing and conditions of passenger transport service operations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the special operation against illegal public service vehicles and tourist service vehicles was carried out on July 27 and 28, as well as August 4. Mohd Misuari detailed that the six impounded vehicles comprised two rental cars, one tourist rental car, one private motorcar owned by a company, one private motorvan owned by a company, and one excursion bus.

"This special operation was carried out following public complaints as well as the results of enforcement monitoring and intelligence. Among the offences detected were the use of private vehicles to carry tourists from airports, terminals, jetties, and other locations to tourist destinations for a fee," he told Bernama recently.

Mohd Misuari emphasized that individuals or companies operating passenger transport services on a rental or hire basis without a valid permit could face action under Act 715. He noted that all cases are being completed before applications are made to obtain the consent of the Kelantan State Deputy Public Prosecutor for prosecution at the Kota Bharu Magistrate's Court.

The seized vehicles will be released to their owners after investigations or court proceedings are completed in accordance with legal provisions. "The misuse of vehicle registration categories not only violates the law but can also compromise passenger safety, insurance coverage, and consumer rights, besides creating unfair competition for taxi, e-hailing, and tourist transport operators who operate legally," he said.