Twelve JPJ officers arrested for issuing 14,000 fake driving licences

PETALING JAYA: Some 14,000 motorists who have been identified to be in possession of "lesen terbang" (fake driving licences) have been given one month to come forward and surrender them.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said should they do so, they will not be prosecuted.
"If they don't, we will find them and will take legal action," he said at a press conference today.
"Lesen terbang" refers to licences obtained illegally by making a payment and not sitting for the written and practical tests.
Loke said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) system has the data and information of those who had obtained their licences by paying JPJ officers to get hold of the document by using the conversion of foreign driving licence procedure.
Loke said 12 officers and personnel from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) have been arrested for corruption and abuse of power involving the issuance of these fake driving licences.
He said the officers included a deputy director and enforcement officers based in JPJ offices in Perlis, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak.
He said JPJ officers had for a 'fee' abused their position to issue the licence and charged the 'applicants', believed to be mostly Malaysians and Chinese nationals, between RM2,000 and RM3,500.
Loke said the arrests were made from Sept 4 until recently and viewed their action as an "act of treason against the country because they do not realise the act would not only affect government revenue but they are also giving licenses to those who have not undergone the necessary tests".
"This means you (the officers) sold to those who are unqualified. Imagine the recipient of the licence driving on the road and being involved in an accident causing death.
"You have assisted in that death," he stated.
He said the arrests came about after he ordered the ministry and JPJ officers to lodge a report to the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after which a two-month investigation took place to bust the large syndicate.
"We have found that it is a huge syndicate which not only involves JPJ officers but also those from other enforcement agencies in several states," he said.
He added there were also several tip-offs received from the public which was sent to his WhatsApp message.
"These licences are being sold through Facebook ... there are also some which claimed to Chinese nationals who came to Malaysia that they do not need to take the tests to obtain the licence.
"This is a serious offence akin to challenging us," he added.