Move to end foreign licence conversion gains praise over fraud concerns

New Straits Times

17-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to discontinue the conversion of foreign driving licences to Malaysian licences has been welcomed as a positive step to strengthen the process and help prevent potential issues, including alleged fraud cases.
Ch'ng Toh Ghee, managing director of Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agency Alter Domus, said the policy shift is understandable as Malaysia seeks to tighten compliance and improve road safety standards involving foreigners.
He said while MM2H participants are exempted from the ruling, the move is still timely and necessary to ensure uniformity and prevent abuse.
"This policy is a good move as it helps strengthen the process and enables authorities to prevent potential issues, such as document fraud during the conversion of foreign licences," he told the New Straits Times.
He added that the decision likely stems from previous cases of possible fraud, prompting the authorities to act.
"Some countries do not follow Malaysia's standards when issuing driving licences.
"By standardising the process, the government is ensuring that all drivers, regardless of nationality, meet local safety and competency standards," he said.
Ch'ng also acknowledged that, although the announcement came at the last minute, it demonstrates the government's urgency in addressing the matter.
"Although the announcement was only made on May 17, with implementation set for May 19, we understand the urgency. It shows the government is serious about curbing issues related to licence fraud.
"While last-minute, it is a necessary and commendable move that deserves support."
The Road Transport Department (RTD) on Saturday had announced that all applications to convert foreign driving licences to Malaysian driving licences (LMM) will be discontinued effective May 19.
Its director-general, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, said that foreigners requiring an LMM will now have to follow the existing procedures to obtain the licence, just like Malaysian citizens.
However, several categories of applicants will not be affected by the new ruling, including members of the diplomatic corps and participants in the MM2H programme.
Meanwhile, foreigners residing in Malaysia temporarily for less than 12 months are subject to specific conditions.
Citizens from countries that are signatories to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic are allowed to drive using an International Driving Permit issued by the relevant authorities of their respective countries.
As for Asean nationals, they only need to use their domestic driving licences, in accordance with the 1985 Asean Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences.