25/09/2025

THURSDAY | SEPT 25, 2025

3 No escape as govt cracks down on tax-dodging posh car owners

‘Call for agile land forces to safeguard Indo-Pacific’ has underscored the need for land forces to remain agile, adaptive and resilient in tackling evolving security challenges, warning that armies must be prepared to counter a growing spectrum of hybrid and grey-zone threats – from information warfare to cyber intrusions. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said transforming land forces requires not only doctrinal changes but also a shift in mindset, as flexibility is essential amid today’s volatile and fast-changing security landscape. He noted that the Indo-Pacific remains the world’s strategic centre of gravity, with over 60% of global trade passing through its waters, making regional stability vital to international security and economic prosperity. “From Malaysia’s perspective, defence and security are rooted in balance – between diplomacy and deterrence, modernisation and readiness, and national priorities and regional responsibilities,” he said. Adly was speaking when officiating at the 14th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 49th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the 11th Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) 2025 at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He outlined five strategic priorities for land forces: agility in confronting hybrid threats, adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, logistics resilience, leadership development for people-centric transformation, and enhanced humanitarian and climate security response capabilities. Adly said Malaysia remains committed to international peace and security through its involvement in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief missions, and multilateral exercises under Asean and the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) framework. “This reaffirms our belief that cooperative security is the only sustainable path forward,” he added. Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said Malaysia’s hosting of IPACC, IPAMS and SELF for the third time reflects its strong commitment to regional defence cooperation, stressing that no nation can address the Indo-Pacific’s complex mix of traditional and non-traditional threats alone. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Transport minister warns wealthy drivers to settle RM35.7 million in arrears or face seizures, amid enforcement blitz on nearly 10,000 high-end vehicles

their expiry dates and renew promptly. “Renewal is simple and via MyJPJ it takes less than two minutes.” He added that subsidy verification will be linked directly to MyKad and licence records, with petrol companies integrating the process into e-wallet systems. “This makes it seamless – you no longer need to show a physical licence at the pump. The system will automatically verify eligibility.” Loke stressed that the three-year rule was not new, as existing laws already state that licences lapsed beyond that period are void and require a retest. “Our priority is to maintain road safety while ensuring subsidies reach genuine, responsible road users,” he added. – By HARITH KAMAL So far, more than 421 luxury cars have already been seized in recent months for expired road tax and insurance. “These are cars worth millions of ringgit, yet their owners refuse to pay. Some road taxes for luxury models run up to RM20,000 or RM30,000, but if you can afford the car, you can afford the road tax. That’s the deal if you want to drive on public roads.” Loke said some drivers play cat-and-mouse, delaying renewals since the penalty is nothing more than arrears plus a RM300 slap on the wrist. “Some even claim they ‘forgot’. Recently, a well-known artiste was stopped at a roadblock and gave that excuse. This behaviour has to stop.” Loke also pointed out that under the new Budi95 fuel subsidy scheme, even luxury car owners enjoy capped subsidies of up to 300 litres per month – the same as ordinary motorists. “The government has been generous in extending subsidies across the board, including to these luxury owners. But if they enjoy the perks, they must also shoulder their responsibility by renewing the road tax.” He stressed that the move was not about public shaming, although tougher measures were on the table if the trend persisted. “We have all the data, including names of the owners. Some have suggested publishing them, but we will weigh this carefully. For now, take this as a warning. Don’t push us into drastic action,” he warned. Loke added that many of the cars in arrears weren’t even old, with some relatively new but left undocumented for up to three years. “If the car is off the road, then the owner isn’t obliged to pay. But if it’s still being driven, road tax and insurance must be renewed. “That’s the law, no matter who you are.”

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s flashiest cars are roaring the streets tax-free, their wealthy owners among those who collectively owe RM35.7 million in unpaid road taxes. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Road Transport Department (RTD) records showed that just five marques – Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Bentley, Ferrari and Porsche – made up nearly 10,000 vehicles with expired road tax. “The cars are still out there cruising the roads, but their owners haven’t renewed the road

Royces, RM3.7 million on 372 Lamborghinis, RM7 million on 660 Bentleys, RM4.7 million on 675 Ferraris and RM13.7 million on 4,308 Porsches. Loke said the department had rolled out Op Luxury, an enforcement blitz targeting such vehicles.

tax or insurance. Among them are salaried workers, business people, politicians and individuals with honorific titles,” he told a press conference yesterday. RTD data revealed that owners of luxury cars have racked up millions in unpaid taxes, including RM6.4 million on 345 Rolls

Loke (left) said owners of luxury cars have racked up millions in unpaid taxes, with Porsches topping the list at RM13.7 million with 4,308 cars, followed by 660 Bentleys at RM7 million and 345 Rolls-Royces at RM6.4 million. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Instal speed limiters or face enforcement from Oct 1: Loke PUTRAJAYA: With the Oct 1 deadline fast approaching, 97% of buses and lorries are still without the mandatory speed limiter device. Loke said drivers of non-compliant vehicles stopped at road checks will receive Notice 114, granting them 10 days to provide proof of speed limiter device (SLD) installation. compulsory.” Loke warned operators not to ignore the rule. competent driving licence (CDL) holders have let their licences lapse beyond three years.

Out of the 15 million active driving licence holders, 925,421 motorists still have time to act, as their licences expired less than three years ago – including 551,688 for under a year, 219,092 between one and two years, and 154,641 between two and three years. “I urge motorists to renew immediately to avoid complications. Don’t wait until it is too late.” Loke said renewals now can be done within minutes via the MyJPJ app, kiosks and counters nationwide. Since the Finance Ministry announced the subsidy mechanism on Sept 22, RTD has already recorded 26,191 digital renewals. He reminded motorists to check

“We are giving time, but road safety comes first. The device helps to save lives. We don’t want another tragedy caused by reckless speeding.” At the same event, Loke revealed motorists with expired licences risk losing access to the RON95 petrol subsidy. He said only Malaysians with valid driving licences, either current or expired for less than three years, would qualify for the aid. “Once it passes three years, the licence is deemed inactive and its holder is automatically ineligible for the subsidy. They would also need to retake the Part II and Part III driving tests.” RTD records show about 2.4 million

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said as of Sept 23, only 2,915 out of 108,805 vehicles had completed verification, leaving the overwhelming majority still flouting requirements. “This shows many operators are not taking the directive seriously. Some even think the government will back down, but we will not compromise on road safety. “Enforcement begins on Oct 1 as planned,” he told a press conference yesterday, joined by RTD director general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli. The vehicles include 2,528 express buses, 6,241 tour buses and more than 100,000 goods vehicles above 3,500kg.

“This is not a summons – it gives operators a chance to comply. But the deadline is firm. We are serious about SLD compliance, especially after the tragic express bus crash in Gerik caused by speeding.” For now, Puspakom inspections will not immediately enforce the requirement to avoid disrupting supply chains. “If we enforced it at inspection level straight away, 97,000 vehicles would fail overnight and this would disrupt logistics. So enforcement will be on the road through RTD checks. But let me stress this – in future, Puspakom inspections will also be made