SIBU: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) here has cracked down on vehicles equipped with Light Emitting Diode (LED) and High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights that cause glare to other drivers.
A total of 40 vehicles were found to have retrofitted headlights on Wednesday night (May 17), and Sibu JPJ chief Mohd Faizal David Jemat issued inspection directives under Section 61(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987, ordering the owners to replace the retrofit lights with the original factory-installed ones.
“Failure to comply within 10 days from the issuance of the notice will result in fines for non-compliance.
“Similarly, vehicles equipped with HID headlights have received notices prohibiting their use and will also face fines,” he said on Thursday (May 18).
“Once the headlights are changed to the original ones, vehicle owners must bring their vehicles to the nearby JPJ counter for inspection and verification.”
The retrofitting of LED and HID headlights is considered an offence under Regulation 94 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959.
Violators can be fined under Section 119(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, with penalties of up to RM2,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of six months.
“We have received numerous complaints from the public regarding vehicles in Sibu with dazzling white headlights, which pose a safety risk to both the drivers and other road users.
“Operations such as Ops Silau will be conducted periodically to raise awareness among vehicle owners about the dangers of modifying their vehicles in violation of the law and endangering others on the road,” said Mohd Faizal.
During the operation, a total of 56 notices were issued, including inspection directives, prohibition notices, and fines for various offences.
“Vehicle owners are advised to consult the JPJ Automotive Engineering Unit before making any modifications to their vehicles to avoid legal action.”
