The Transport Ministry has clarified that Rohingya refugees holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards are not eligible to obtain Malaysian driving licences, putting to rest claims that the document can be used to qualify for one.
Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Mohd Misuari Abdullah said a UNHCR card is not an official Malaysian identification document and does not entitle its holder to apply for a driving licence.
He said enforcement operations have not uncovered any Rohingya individuals with valid Malaysian driving licences.
“Those stopped at roadblocks often present their UNHCR cards in an attempt to gain sympathy and avoid enforcement action,” he said.
Mohd Misuari also dismissed allegations of syndicates helping Rohingya refugees obtain legitimate driving licences, saying JPJ intelligence had found no evidence of such activities in Kelantan.
To curb offences involving foreign motorists, JPJ Kelantan has intensified enforcement operations in Kota Bharu, Ketereh, Melor, Pasir Tumboh and Tanah Merah.
As of this month, the department has inspected 576 vehicles driven by foreigners, seized 457 vehicles and issued 908 summonses for offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.
JPJ also warned local vehicle owners against allowing or renting their vehicles to unlicensed Rohingya drivers.
Mohd Misuari said offenders will no longer face compounds alone but may be charged in court under Section 23(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, with Kelantan among the first states to adopt the stricter enforcement approach.
Earlier, JPJ revealed that about 85% of foreign motorists penalised under the state’s Foreign Drivers Operation between January and June 18 were Rohingya, with most found driving without valid licences and committing other road traffic offences.
