The vehicles were seized following a two-week nationwide operation in July and included a Rolls-Royce for which the road tax alone amounted to RM29,000 a year.

JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said the seizure also included a Lamborghini Huracan, for which the road tax would cost RM12,000 annually, Harian Metro reported.

Aedy said compound notices will be issued to the vehicle owners, who will also have to purchase the necessary road tax and insurance before the vehicles can be released.

“The owners include celebrities, ‘influencers’ and prominent businessmen.

“Some of these vehicles have insurance but don’t have road tax. As long as (the compound notice, road tax or insurance) remain unsettled, their vehicles will remain with us,” he said.

He said there were some vehicles that did not have valid road tax for three years.

Aedy said the most common excuse given by the owners was that they forgot to renew or purchase the road tax or insurance.

He said JPJ will continue to hold such operations throughout the year.