JPJ deputy director-general (planning and operations) Jazmanie Shafawi said discussions had been going on with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on this matter over the past three months, Bernama reported.

“We are hoping for a favourable outcome,” he said after observing Op Ulat at KLIA Terminal 1 last night.

Since Op Ulat commenced on Nov 25 until yesterday, the department had detained 15 people suspected of soliciting or pressuring passengers to accept unauthorised transport services.

They also seized 15 vehicles, including luxury sedans, multipurpose vehicles and vans.

Jazmanie added that operators of illegal car hire services could earn between RM10,000 and RM30,000 per month based on their observations.

Jazmanie said from 2022 until Dec 3 this year, JPJ had detained 469 pirate taxi operators and issued fines totalling more than RM1.66 million.

“As for this year alone, up to Dec 3, JPJ had detained 178 operators and issued fines amounting to RM554,900.”

According to him, most of these operators targeted foreign nationals who were unaware of local taxi rates.

“Our investigations found they charge RM100 for trips from KLIA to hotels in Kota Warisan, Sepang, and RM300 for trips to Kuala Lumpur,” he said.