Branch chief senior enforcement officer Nurul Fairezzah Safri said the vehicles comprised two Toyota Vellfires, one Toyota Land Cruiser, a Toyota Crown Royale, a Toyota Camry and a Mercedes-Benz.

In a statement today, she said the operation focused on luxury cars still on the road despite lacking valid road tax and insurance.

“Some of the vehicles had expired road tax for several years without renewal. Any luxury car found without valid road tax and insurance will be seized immediately.

“These cases cannot be settled with a compound, and the drivers and owners will be taken to court,” she said.

She said the department would continue similar operations in Sibu and would not compromise with vehicle owners.

Nurul Fairezzah said seized cars would only be released to the registered owners once their road tax and insurance are renewed, and with approval from the Sarawak JPJ director. However, the drivers will still face court charges.

“Under the latest directive for private vehicles, including luxury cars, even if the road tax and insurance have expired for only one day, the driver and owner will still be issued a summons and the vehicle will be seized immediately.

“For commercial vehicles, if the road tax has expired even for a day, action will also be taken regardless of whether the insurance is still valid,” she said.

From January until Aug 28, the Sibu JPJ seized 55 vehicles consisting of 48 private cars, six of which were luxury cars, and seven commercial vehicles.

Nurul Fairezzah said the enforcement was not intended to trouble owners but to ensure that road users comply with the law.

“Vehicle owners must always ensure that their road tax and insurance are valid before use. If expired, they must be renewed immediately to avoid legal action,” she said.