Special Tour Packages for Foreign Passengers Sold for Thousands — Half of Caught ‘Sapu Car’ Drivers Are Foreigners

(Kuala Lumpur, 12th) The Road Transport Department (JPJ) conducted a special operation in the capital yesterday, cracking down on 'black cars' (prebet sapu) that specifically target foreign tourists by illegally using vans and luxury multipurpose vehicles to transport passengers.
Kuala Lumpur JPJ director Hamidi said that the operation, which ran from 10 am to midnight in busy city center areas such as Bukit Bintang Road, Jalan Imbi, and Jalan Sultan Ismail, intercepted a total of 10 private cars illegally transporting passengers.
Even more surprising, five of the intercepted vehicles were driven by individuals of Bangladeshi, Yemeni, Indian, and Sudanese nationality, with the remainder being locals.
"When these cars were stopped and inspected, there was a total of 35 passengers from China, Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Palestine, and Iraq. They were heading to the airport or other tourist destinations by these means."
After the operation ended, Hamidi told reporters: "Some tourists even purchased tour packages costing up to RM2,100, from Kuala Lumpur to Malacca, including accommodation and transportation arranged by travel agencies."

He pointed out that one of the 'black car' drivers' tactics is to wait around hotel areas, especially during the noon check-out rush, looking for tourists who want to go to their next destination.
He reminded travel agencies to ensure that passenger vehicles meet regulations, including having a Public Service Vehicle (KPA) operating license, as some of the intercepted passengers in this operation were customers of these travel agencies.
Hamidi said the 10 cars were impounded for a range of offences, including misuse of road tax, lacking a KPA operating license, and driving without a license.
At the same time, the department also issued traffic fines to the drivers and owners under Section 80 of the 1987 Road Transport Act (intentionally causing obstruction or danger on the road) and Section 16(1) of the 2010 Land Public Transport Act (providing passenger services illegally without an operating license).