Foreigners are allegedly marrying elderly Malaysian women, including widows and single mothers, to register vehicles under their spouses’ names and circumvent stricter enforcement against foreign drivers.
Road Transport Department (RTD) senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said investigations had uncovered the tactic, with some foreigners allegedly promising marriage to women aged 60 and above in exchange for using their names for vehicle registration.
He described it as a new modus operandi adopted by foreign drivers following intensified enforcement operations since July.
“These foreigners are targeting women aged 60 and above, particularly single mothers, widows and unmarried women.
“They make sweet promises of marriage to persuade these women to allow their names to be used for vehicle registration. Some even go through with the marriage solely for the purpose of using their spouses’ names,” he told reporters at the Advanced Leadership and Management Programme (ALMP) Series 89 No. 4/2026 at the Shapadu Shooting Range in Precinct 20.
Kifli warned Malaysians against allowing their personal details to be exploited for vehicle ownership, describing the practice as dangerous.
He said the department had intensified enforcement under Op Pewa following instructions from RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli in July.
Under the stricter measures, both foreign drivers and vehicle owners would face action if offences were detected.
“We will issue summonses to both the driver and the vehicle owner, while the vehicles involved will be seized.
“We will not offer compounds, meaning these cases will be brought to court. This is to demonstrate how seriously we view these offences, as action will be taken against both the driver and the owner,” he said.
Kifli said the RTD had issued 523,035 summons notices under Op Pewa between 2024 and Oct 15 this year.
Of the total, 183,300 notices were issued in 2024, followed by 191,676 in 2025 and 148,059 so far this year.
He urged Malaysians not to rent out their vehicles or allow foreigners who are not legally permitted to drive to use them.
“We need the cooperation of all Malaysians to ensure that foreign drivers do not continue operating freely on our roads.
“If Malaysians refuse to allow their vehicles to be used by these foreigners, they will not be able to drive on our roads,” he said.
