KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — The actions of a man who spent up to RM25,000 to extremely modify five motorcycles backfired when all the vehicles were confiscated by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) after he was detained five times since last year.

What is more shocking is that the actions of the individual, who is in his 20s, also affected his family members, as four of the five motorcycles belonged to his father, younger sibling, mother, and uncle, which he had borrowed before modifying them.

JPJ Senior Director of Enforcement Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the fifth motorcycle belonging to the self-employed man was detained during JPJ’s Op Ekstrem around the capital recently for offences involving the modification of engine structures, braking systems, and the use of components not complying with safety specifications.

“In previous press conferences, I used a firm approach, but this time I want to appeal to these ‘hardcore’ riders to stop taking these useless actions.

“Imagine, the five motorcycles we detained and are holding in our custody belong to himself, his uncle, his aunt, his father, and most recently, his younger sibling’s motorcycle. All five of these motorcycles are currently in the process of forfeiture and will be auctioned off,” he said at a press conference here.

Muhammad Kifli said extreme modification offences such as removing the rear brakes, using ‘tayar sotong’ (pencil tires), changing the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and modifying engines not only endanger lives but also increases the risk of fatal road accidents.

He said that throughout Op Ekstrem conducted on August 8 and 9, a total of 443 motorcycles were inspected, with 336 of them acted against and 140 motorcycles confiscated.

“Overall, for the period from January to August 10 this year, JPJ has carried out 441 Op Ekstrem operations nationwide, which saw inspections on 68,528 vehicles, with 18,534 of them subjected to enforcement actions and 1,942 vehicles confiscated,” he said.

He added that JPJ will not hesitate to take legal action under Section 59(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) against any party that refuses to restore their vehicles to their original specifications.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Kifli informed that JPJ will hold its first engagement session with the organisers of RXZ Members to discuss safety aspects and the smooth organisation of the programme in the future.

“Our purpose to hold this engagement session is not to restrict the organisation of the programme, but rather to listen to the organisers’ views and provide suggestions for improvement to ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the safety of all road users are complied with.”

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 2:30 pm at the JPJ Headquarters in Putrajaya tomorrow. — Bernama