S'poreans owe M'sia S$1 million in outstanding traffic fines, largest foreign offender group

Singaporean motorists make up the majority of foreign traffic offenders in Malaysia with outstanding traffic fines amounting to an estimated total of RM3.5 million (S$1 million).

Since 1990 to June 2024, there have been nearly 41 million outstanding traffic summonses, with an estimated value of RM4 billion (S$1.2 billion), that are unpaid, reported Utusan Malaysia, as quoted by Malay Mail.

Of these, 51,128 summonses, amounting to around RM5.1 million (S$1.5 million), involve motorists from foreign countries like Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand.

Notices to be issued

Notices will be issued to traffic offenders to inform them of their outstanding fines, said Bukit Aman’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.

The unpaid fines involve six main offences:

• Running a red light
• Driving in the emergency lane
• Overtaking at a double line
• Using a communication device or phone while driving
• Cutting queue
• Speeding

Motorists who do not pay their fines could be blacklisted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

The JSPT is also reportedly planning to intensify the Foreigners’ Outstanding Summons Operation (OSTWA) to track and take action against foreign traffic offenders when they enter or exit Malaysia.

Top photo via Land Transport Authority