Willing to spend RM150,000 on extreme vehicle modifications
KUALA LUMPUR: Some are willing to spend up to RM150,000 solely to modify their vehicles in extreme ways, including exhaust systems that can shoot flames and emit extremely loud noises.
In fact, some vehicles have been modified to the point where their chassis sits so low that it almost scrapes the road surface.
JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said these were among the offences detected through Ops Ekstrem (Extreme Operation), which was conducted around the capital on 6 September.
He said the operation, which ran from 1 am to 5 am, was carried out following complaints and information from the public regarding excessive vehicle modifications that caused noise disturbances and disrupted public peace.
Through the operation, 156 vehicles were inspected, with 97 of them being taken action against.
“If we look, there are vehicles using air suspension systems, with modification costs estimated between RM15,000 and RM25,000.
“The most extreme cases are those where the car actually touches the ground, leaving no gap at all.
“Furthermore, there are exhausts that produce explosive sounds and flames – they have been modified to the tune of up to RM150,000,” he said at a press conference for Ops Ekstrem at the JPJ Kuala Lumpur office last night.
His department also issued 485 notice summonses, with 37 vehicles seized during the operation.
“Among the offences detected were registration numbers not complying with specifications (97 cases), exhaust offences (77 cases), expired road tax (66 cases), lack of insurance coverage (57 cases), dark tinted windows (44 cases), and bodywork modifications (11 cases),” he said.
Meanwhile, he said any form of vehicle modification must obtain approval from JPJ.
“There are vehicles where the air suspension is placed right next to the fuel tank. That is extremely dangerous because if anything happens, it could explode.
“Although some place it at the rear, and some on the bonnet, but actually, when they carry out these modifications, they do not follow specifications or the regulations that have been set.
“So, it could lead to undesirable incidents such as accidents or explosions,” he said.
He also stressed that owners would not be allowed to reclaim their seized vehicles as long as the modifications have not been reverted to their original condition and legal proceedings have not been resolved.
In addition, he said JPJ would expand the operation nationwide starting this week to crack down on vehicles modified to an extreme degree that could threaten the safety of road users.
Berita Harian