IPOH: "But I thought the moratorium is on" ...was among the reasons given by desperate road users when slapped with a summons during the integrated operations on commercial vehicles at the Ipoh Utara Toll Plaza (southbound) yesterday.

Perak Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Mohammad Yusoff Abustan said the operation recorded a total of 159 offences, including not renewing driving licence and expired road tax, with absent-minded drivers using the on-off-on moratorium as an excuse (last year's Sept 30 deadline was reluctantly extended till the end of 2021).

"Some road users cited the moratorium as an excuse they forget to renew their driving license and expired road tax," he said in a press conference as the operation ended at midnight yesterday.

Following that, he advised road users to always check their driving licence, especially on the eve of their birthday as it will expire on that day.

"When your birthday is coming up, do check your driving licence. If it has expired, renew the licence at any nearby JPJ branch, at the post office or MyEG Services Sdn Bhd (MyEG) as well as service kiosks at several locations such as at JPJ Ipoh, Taiping, Manjung, Tapah and Teluk Intan," he explained.

Other than JPJ, the operation also involved 96 personnel and officers from various agencies such as the Highway Enforcement Unit (UPLR), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Malaysian Immigration Department and National Registration Department (NRD).

-- BERNAMA