| Daniel Lim |
THE Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) started a three-day operation early yesterday at the Sungai Tujoh toll checkpoints on both exits at the Malaysia-Brunei border.
The operation is aimed at raising awareness on Malaysian road rules and regulations for foreign road users.
The enforcement is the fourth of its kind and is part of the ‘Operation Saman Tertunggak Warganegara Asing’ (OSTWA). The first was in 2015.
The operation aims to ensure drivers with foreign-registered vehicles who committed traffic offences pay their compound fines before leaving Malaysia.
The operation also seeks to nudge these drivers to comply with the traffic rules and regulations while on Malaysian roads.
“We have identified more than 60,000 outstanding traffic summonses, mostly involving Brunei-registered vehicles dating back to 2008,” said Miri City Police Chief ACP Lim Meng Seah.
In a press conference, he expressed hope of a successful operation adding, “I hope the public will not view this operation negatively; we only want to uphold existing rules and regulations.
“We also want to warn the public not to be duped by fake information,” he added.
While many of the offenders are Bruneians, some are Malaysians using Brunei-registered licence plates.
Many of the offences involve speeding while others include parking at non-designated areas, running red light and making illegal U-turns.
The response on the first day of the operation has been good, ACP Lim said adding, “This is a chance for offenders to clear their summons when they were unable to pay on the spot.”
On ways to check summon status, he urged drivers to visit counters at the nearest Sarawak traffic police station with their identity card or log on to https://www.myeg.com.my/.
ACP Lim advised the public, especially foreign drivers, to be more alert of the road rules and regulations.
The operation ends tomorrow and 42 police officers are deployed at the relevant checkpoints.