JB op nets $900k in unpaid fines from S'pore motorists

By Danson Cheong And Lim Yi Han, The Straits Times, 14 Jan 2015

MALAYSIAN traffic police, in a six-day operation, collected more than RM2.4 million (S$900,000) in outstanding traffic fines from Singapore-registered motorists.

The operation, conducted from Dec 27 to Jan 1, caught 13,529 drivers with outstanding fines near and at Johor Baru immigration checkpoints.

Johor Traffic Police Chief Superintendent Baharudin Mat Taib told The Straits Times that more than 15,470 fines were paid during this period, with almost $500,000 paid in cash.

The rest of the fines were settled by credit card.

He added that Malaysian officers will continue to conduct such sting operations regularly.

"We will do this regularly. I would say to all drivers: We are not targeting Singaporeans. We will (conduct these operations) against all errant motorists, including Malaysians," he said.

While Superintendent Baharudin would not confirm when the next sting operation would be, sources told The Straits Times that it would likely be conducted during the Chinese New Year period when many Singapore vehicles head to Malaysia.

In total, Singapore vehicles account for 313,661 - or 37.4 per cent - of the unsettled traffic summonses issued to non-Malaysians from 2000 to 2013, according to the Malaysian police.

Many motorists with Singapore-registered cars who drive regularly into Malaysia told The Straits Times they were surprised when they were stopped at Malaysian police roadblocks.

Mr Steve Keh, 40, a Singapore permanent resident who lives in Taman Perling in Johor and drives into Singapore daily for work, found himself on New Year's Eve facing 17 outstanding fines amounting to RM2,550.

For him, the fines - which were for offences such as speeding - dated back to 2013.

"Of course we have to pay; they take your passport and don't let you leave with your car if you don't pay," said Mr Keh, who works in the maritime industry.

Mr Francis Ng, a 55-year-old Singaporean who faced RM800 in fines, wanted a chance to explain himself and have a closer look at when and where the offences were committed.

Mr Ng, who lives in Bukit Indah in Johor and drives to Singapore three to four times a week, had five offences dating back to 2012.

"I don't even remember some of the earlier offences. How do I know if it's true?" he said.

Superintendent Baharudin rubbished allegations from motorists that some of these offences were bogus.

"We do not force people to pay their summonses without proof," he said.

"My advice to Singaporeans is to check whether they have summonses at the traffic police station and to please pay."

Malaysia clamps down on cars that owe traffic fines: How to pay them?
The Straits Times, 14 Jan 2015

Malaysia authorities have tightened checks on Singapore-registered cars that owe traffic fines across the Causeway.

Late last month and this month, some drivers were surprised when they were stopped by Malaysian police, and asked to pay multiple traffic fines on the spot.

According to a Straits Times report, there are 313,661 summonses for Singapore-registered vehicles still outstanding, and 4,621 arrest warrants that have been issued against repeat offenders from Singapore.

Malaysia is also working to set up a blacklist of repeat traffic offenders to block them from driving in, said the article published on Dec 12 last year.

For those who do not wish to be surprised when visiting Malaysia, you can check if you have outstanding summons online.

Both Malaysian and foreign drivers can pay their fines through Malaysian government portals www.myeg.com.my and www.rilek.com.my

MyEG also has a free service to remind registered users if they have incurred new summons, it says on the website.

Drivers can also pay their fines at Malaysia post offices and police stations.