MORE than 1,000 women in Kelantan have had vehicles registered under their names for use by foreigners since 2025, with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) identifying the practice as a new tactic to evade stricter enforcement.
The women targeted reportedly include single mothers, widows, senior citizens and others considered vulnerable.
JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said some foreigners had approached these women with promises of marriage or business opportunities, before persuading them to register cars or motorcycles under their names.
The foreigners would then use the vehicles on public roads, leaving the Malaysian women potentially exposed to legal and other consequences if the vehicles were involved in accidents or criminal activities.
According to Muhammad Kifli, JPJ has found that some of the vehicles, particularly older cars, were subsequently used in crimes, including human smuggling.
This could leave women who believed they were helping a prospective husband or business associate facing questions from the authorities over vehicles they did not actually use.
“If the vehicle is involved in an accident, the registered owner’s name will be associated with it. If the vehicle is used for criminal activities, the owner could also become involved indirectly and suffer the consequences,” Kifli said.
While the issue has been detected nationwide, Kelantan has recorded a particularly high number of cases, with more than 1,000 identified since 2025.
“This is happening throughout the country, but the number is particularly high in Kelantan, with more than 1,000 cases detected since 2025,” he said.
Kifli added that JPJ had also detected foreigners, including Rohingya, using Malaysian citizens’ names to purchase and register motorcycles and other vehicles.
He said tighter enforcement had made some Malaysians increasingly reluctant to rent out their vehicles or allow foreigners to use them, prompting some foreigners to look for alternative ways to obtain access to vehicles.
JPJ is also considering tougher action against foreigners who repeatedly commit offences.
“When we see the trend of offences involving foreigners increasing, we feel it is time to adopt a new approach. For foreigners who repeatedly commit offences, we will seek stronger action from the courts, including imprisonment,” Kifli added.
Kifli also issued a specific warning to women in Kelantan, particularly those aged between 60 and 70, who are approached by significantly younger foreigners with promises of marriage.
He cautioned that allowing their names to be used for vehicle registrations could potentially leave them connected to accidents or criminal investigations involving vehicles they never actually drove.
“Do not allow yourself to be manipulated by sweet promises. If the vehicle is later used for criminal activities, your name could be implicated, and this could bring harm to you,” he pointed out.—Oct 5, 2026
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