Abandoned vehicles can be scrapped faster under new guidelines
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The Cabinet approved revised guidelines on 30 October to speed up the removal and scrapping of abandoned vehicles. Local councils may no longer need to go through the full court process in many cases.
The Cabinet has approved revised guidelines to speed up the handling of abandoned vehicles on public roads. According to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, the new framework was approved on 30 October and is aimed at making disposal faster and more practical for local councils.
Under the changes, councils may be able to remove and scrap abandoned vehicles without the full court process in many cases. The guidelines rely on Section 65 of the Road Transport Act 1987, which allows broken-down or abandoned vehicles to be removed and disposed of if nobody claims them after notice.
The new framework also allows the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to accredit qualified council officers as vehicle inspectors. That would let them verify chassis numbers on site, reduce the need to send vehicles to Puspakom, and keep inspection certificates valid while cases are being processed.
The guidelines are not yet in force. They will go to state governments for agreement on 26 November. The article also says councils in Peninsular Malaysia are expected to implement them before the end of 2026, while Sabah and Sarawak will work with their own authorities.
What it means for you: if a vehicle is abandoned near your home or workshop, councils may be able to clear it faster, but owners still need to act quickly to avoid towing and disposal.
Source: Citizens Journal
