Haris (second right) with one of the vehicles seized during the integrated operation.
PENAMPANG: An integrated operation by Penampang traffic police division (IPD Penampang) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) saw the seizure of 17 vehicles of various models for violation of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Penampang police chief, DSP Mohd Haris Ibrahim said the vehicles have been placed under police custody due to the offences committed under the Act, such as reckless and dangerous driving, where two such cases had resulted in the arrest of two men in their 20s.
The two men were arrested for reckless and dangerous driving during the integrated operation on Sunday at around midnight.
They were arrested for driving dangerously along Jalan Pintas Penampang, in front of the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC).
“Since early February, we’ve activated an operation for street thugs activity in front of ITCC based on information from the public and our own investigations, as that stretch of road has become something of a ‘hot spot’ for those with modified vehicles to test the capability of their cars, especially by the youths.
“The two men we arrested are believed to have violated Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless and dangerous driving. Upon conviction, they face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to RM15,000 each,” said Haris.
He added that investigations are still ongoing as to whether the two men were racing and confirmed that both vehicles were modified.
Police believe that Jalan Pintas Penampang is being used to ‘test’ the performance of modified cars as it is a relatively straight road with smooth surface. Two other identified areas where similar activities are said to take place are the road in front of iPlaza Penampang and the Putatan-Lok Kawi highway.
Haris reminded the public, especially those who indulge in such road activities, to put a stop to it immediately as the police will be conducting regular surveillance and will not compromise when taking punitive action.
He stressed that any such activities should be stopped as they are a danger not only to the drivers, but to other road users as well.
During the operation, 19 summonses were issued by Penampang police while JPJ issued 30 summonses to the defaulters.