The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has taken firm action against non-compliance with seat belt regulations, issuing a total of 1,194 summonses to both bus drivers and passengers across the country since the launch of its Special Operation on Seat Belt Usage on 1 July.
According to Bernama, JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli stated that the majority of offences were committed by passengers, who accounted for 1,108 of the total summonses. Bus drivers received 62 summonses, while another 24 cases involved vehicles that had not been equipped with seat belts as required by law.
Despite numerous reminders, many of those caught without seat belts attempted to justify their actions by claiming ignorance of the regulations or stating that they were unaware of the enforcement being formally gazetted. Aedy Fadly firmly dismissed such explanations, pointing out that investigations showed most bus companies had either announced the requirement verbally or displayed signage urging passengers to fasten their seat belts.