Authorities clamp down on foreigners operating 'prebet sapu' in KL

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (RTD) and Immigration Department have joined forces to monitor and take action against foreigners, including undocumented migrants, suspected of operating illegal private taxi services in Kuala Lumpur.
These activities have raised public concern over safety and the livelihoods of licensed taxi and e-hailing drivers.
Kuala Lumpur RTD director Hamidi Adam said a special operation was launched earlier this month following complaints from the public.
The operation was prompted by an incident on July 13 near an embassy along Jalan Ampang, where enforcement teams were deployed to monitor the area closely.
"Several offences were detected during the operation, including illegal parking on yellow lines, cracked windscreens, tinted windows, and the absence of official e-hailing stickers.
"However, no foreign-driven vehicles were found offering "prebet sapu" services during the surveillance," Hamidi was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
He added that the RTD has carried out several other targeted operations since early last year, including Ops Transporter and Ops PEWA.
Ops Transporter focused on busy public areas such as LRT Taman Melati, Wangsa Walk Mall, Setapak Central and KL East Mall. It resulted in 23 vehicles seized and 12 notices issued.
"A total of 10 local individuals and 13 foreigners from countries including Afghanistan, Somalia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Yemen and Egypt were issued summonses and compounds under the Road Transport Act and the Land Public Transport Act," Hamidi said.
Offences detected included operating prebet sapu services, driving without valid licences, misuse of vehicle licences, and illegal window tinting.
Ops PEWA, conducted throughout last year, led to 243 summonses and the seizure of 101 cars and motorcycles involving foreign drivers.
Hamidi urged the public to report illegal taxi activities through RTD's official complaint channels.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said his department remains vigilant in monitoring foreigners involved in such operations.
"The Immigration Department does not remain idle and takes public concerns seriously," he said.
He added that even though no formal complaints have directly linked undocumented migrants to "prebet sapu" activities, enforcement action would be taken if immigration laws are breached.
"Anyone suspected of abusing their immigration pass will be arrested and investigated immediately," Wan Mohammed Saupee said.
He said that all foreigners must possess valid travel documents and immigration passes. Misuse of such documents, including working without permission, will result in stern action under the law.
The joint effort by the RTD and Immigration Department comes amid growing concerns over illegal taxi operations run by foreigners, particularly near embassies and major roads in Kuala Lumpur.