KOTA BHARU - The Transport Ministry has clarified that Rohingya refugees holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards are not eligible to obtain Malaysian driving licences.

The ministry said a UNHCR card is not an official Malaysian identification document and does not qualify its holder to apply for a driving licence, as cited from Business Today.

Kelantan Road Transport Department (RTD) director Mohd Misuari Abdullah said enforcement operations had not uncovered any Rohingya individuals holding valid Malaysian driving licences.

He said some motorists stopped during roadblocks often presented UNHCR cards in an attempt to appeal for leniency and avoid enforcement action.

Mohd Misuari also dismissed allegations that syndicates were helping Rohingya refugees obtain legitimate Malaysian driving licences.

He said JPJ intelligence had found no evidence of such activities in Kelantan.

To address offences involving foreign motorists, JPJ Kelantan has intensified enforcement operations in Kota Bharu, Ketereh, Melor, Pasir Tumboh and Tanah Merah.

As of this month, the department had inspected 576 vehicles driven by foreign nationals.

A total of 457 vehicles were seized during the operations.

JPJ also issued 908 summonses for offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.

The department warned Malaysian vehicle owners against allowing or renting their vehicles to unlicensed Rohingya drivers.

Mohd Misuari said offenders would no longer face compound fines alone and could instead be prosecuted in court under Section 23(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

He said Kelantan is among the first states to implement the stricter enforcement approach.

Earlier, RTD reported that about 85 per cent of foreign motorists penalised during the state's Foreign Drivers Operation between January and June 18 were Rohingya.

Most of those found committing offences were driving without valid licences and had breached other road traffic regulations.