Kelantan is set to experience a massive influx of vehicles as an estimated two million cars are expected to enter the state during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, according to the Road Transport Department (RTD).
Kelantan RTD director Mohd Misuari Abdullah stated that the surge in traffic will primarily flow through three major entry points: Pasir Puteh, Gua Musang, and Jeli. Congestion is anticipated to begin on March 28 as travellers make their way home for the festivities.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) recorded a total of 107,014 traffic offences during the Chinese New Year Special Operation 2025, which ran from January 20 to February 4. The operation involved the inspection of 429,423 vehicles, resulting in 724 seizures.
Expired road tax and the absence of valid vehicle insurance emerged as the most common violations, with 29,994 cases reported. This was followed by 20,414 instances of drivers operating vehicles without a valid licence and 15,610 technical infractions, including issues related to tyres and brakes.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli emphasised the importance of vehicle owners ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys. He noted that these offences pose risks not only to the drivers themselves but also to other road users.
Vehicle owners with unpaid fines for three specific categories of Road Transport Department (RTD) summonses will face blacklisting and restrictions on conducting RTD transactions starting July, according to RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
The affected summons categories include the Automated Awareness Safety System (AwAS) summons (53A), Notice 114 (investigation interview notice), and Notice 115 (affixed summons notice).
According to NST, Aedy Fadly announced that stricter enforcement would commence following the conclusion of a special compound offer of RM150 for these offences, which ends on June 30.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has announced that the Road Transport Department (RTD) will begin equipping its enforcement officers with body cameras in 2025. According to Bernama, this initiative aims to enhance transparency, safeguard officers during their duties, and address public concerns about enforcement practices.
The decision was revealed during the Ministry’s 2025 New Year briefing, where Loke explained that the introduction of bodycams aligns with RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli’s commitment to upholding the department’s image, safety, and integrity.
Loke underscored the dual benefits of the technology: “The use of body cameras not only protects the image and integrity of RTD but also safeguards the officers themselves. Sometimes our officers face criticism, humiliation, and various accusations. With the body camera, RTD officers are protected, as any evidence during their enforcement actions can be captured.”
Four employees from the Puspakom Wangsa Maju branch have been questioned by the Road Transport Department (RTD) over allegations that a vehicle was approved despite failing to meet inspection standards. This comes after RTD conducted surprise checks as part of its nationwide Ops Gempur initiative on December 31.
Puspakom Chief Executive Officer Mahmood Razak Bahman clarified the situation at a press conference held at the Shah Alam Puspakom branch. Initially, only two staff members were summoned to provide statements, but RTD later extended the investigation to two more employees from the same branch.
Clarification on Media Reports
Mahmood addressed media reports that incorrectly stated three staff members had been summoned. He explained that a photograph published in the media depicted Puspakom’s central region director accompanying staff during the RTD checks, but the director was not involved in the questioning.
In honour of the 50th Federal Territories Day celebrations, the Road Transport Department (RTD) has announced the commencement of bidding tenders for exclusive registration numbers featuring the “GOLD” prefix. Transport Minister Anthony Loke unveiled this special GOLD series as a symbolic tribute.
Prospective bidders eager to own these unique number plates can participate through JPJebid starting from February 1 until February 5 at 10 pm, with the results being announced on February 6. Minister Loke specified that the auction would include varying starting prices for different categories of numbers.
Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh inaugurated the newly built driving training and test track at the Melaka Road Transport Department (RTD) Academy. The state-of-the-art 2.02-hectare track, constructed for RM2.5 million, is anticipated to enhance the efficiency and quality of training for driving testers and instructors.
According to Bernama, construction of the track commenced on December 14, 2021, and was successfully completed on July 12, 2022. The modern facility is expected to play a crucial role in nurturing professional driving testers and instructors while serving as a hub for professional driver excellence. Ab Rauf expressed hope that the track would benefit the community, particularly the RTD, and contribute to the development of competent and responsible motorists, ultimately contributing to accident reduction efforts.
The track’s development aligns with the goal of elevating competence capacity and standards within the road transport industry. It is envisioned to become a centre for providing training to driving testers and instructors nationwide, positioning Melaka as a focal point for professional driver development in the country. The track’s launch ceremony was attended by Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah and RTD Director-General Datuk Rosplagos Taha.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd has established an RTD Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre (Highway Enforcement Unit) as one of the ways to improve safety on its highways. The facility, opened on July 1 this year in collaboration with the Road Transport Department (RTD), is located at the old Jelapang Toll Plaza Supervision Building near Ipoh, Perak.
The control centre, located at KM268, on the North-South Expressway will provide faster access onto the highway to manage traffic incidences and improve safety. It also regulates all Highway Enforcement Unit activities at four major enforcement zones.
Since 2018, PLUS has provided four offices for the Highway Enforcement Unit at R&R Pagoh in Johor, R&R Dengkil in Selangor, and R&R Gunung Semanggol, besides the latest Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre, in Ipoh.
“PLUS continuously explores new approaches and ideas to improve safety on our highways to help our customers enjoy safer and more convenient travel. Apart from focusing on engineering and education aspects through road safety advocacy programmes, we also look at law enforcement aspects by collaborating with enforcement agencies such as the RTD to improve safety on the highways,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.
“At the same time, the presence of JPJ enforcement officers on our highway mainline is crucial in addressing issues relating to heavy vehicles such as the use of low-quality rethreaded tyres, overloaded and improperly secured consignment and so on. Based on our data, most of the obstacles found on the highway which consist of tyre fragments, wood, iron scraps or debris and many more originated from heavy vehicles, pose a threat to our customers,” he added.
During the official opening ceremony, PLUS and RTD also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic collaboration involving operations and enforcement to improve safety on the PLUS highway.
According to Dato’ Sri Shaharuddin, RTD’s Director-General, the initiative that has been carried out between PLUS and the RTD is a strategic and smart partnership which is the key to improving the safety and well-being of the people.
“PLUS proves its role as a good ‘Rakan Negara’ in helping RTD to enhance the level of safety and enforcement on the highway. PLUS’ contribution and various initiatives to ensure the safety of its customers have been globally recognized by winning the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in December 2019 and was recently ranked as the number one top performing closed toll highway in terms of safety and comfort by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS),” added Dato’ Sri Shaharuddin.
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