Vehicles Causing Noise And Air Pollution Face Up To RM500,000 Fine

Is your vehicle's exhaust emitting way too much black smoke? Is it noisier than usual too? Perhaps its time to have it checked or face fines of up to RM500,000!

The government recently passed a new law that took effect on July 7, and it sees vehicle users that cause noise and air pollution face much stiffer penalties. Under the Environmental Quality Act (Amendment) 2024 (Act 127), offenders now face fines as high as RM500,000.

Speaking with local Bahasa news daily Berita Harian (BH) recently, Director General of Environment Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar highlights that the amended act extends its reach beyond manufacturers and industries to include vehicle users as well.

“The Environmental Quality Act (Amendment) 2024 (Act 127) seeks to address pollution comprehensively. Vehicle users, particularly those responsible for noise and air pollution, are now subject to these enhanced penalties,” states Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff.

The amended act from the Department of Environment (JAS) is targeted towards individuals and parties that contribute to air pollution either via excessive noise or black smoke emissions.

The revised act, gazetted on June 6, and the new fines issued under which, are targeted towards individuals and parties that contribute to air pollution either via excessive noise or black smoke emissions. Borne out of this new act too are a series of heightened inspection measures.

Regarding the latter, it now sees the Department of Environment (JAS) adopt strict new measures that includes collaborating with both the Road Transport Department (JPJ and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in conducting inspections.

This also entails into the department utilising specialised equipment to measure both noise and black smoke emission levels, and the results of which could see vehicle owners and operated slapped with substantial compound amounts.

DG of Environment Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff also noted that much of the noise pollution from motorcycles stem from modifified exhaust pipes.

Under the amended act, maximum fines for air and noise pollution totals at RM500,000 now as opposed to the previous RM300 ceiling for noisy motorcycles and RM2,000 ceiling for lorries and busses emitting excessive black smoke.

In the same interview, Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff also noted that motorcycle noise issues often stem from modifications, whereas the excessive black smoke emitted from diesel vehicles typically results from poor maintenance routines or failure to adhere to scheduled engine oil changes.

Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff also remarked that excessive black smoke emissions from diesel vehicles are the typical results of poor vehicle maintenance or failure to adhere to scheduled engine oil changes.

Apart from inspecting vehicles, JAS says it will monitor petrol stations to ensure fuel quality standards compliance. In the first half of this year (2024), JAS revealed it conducted 23,227 inspections, which marks a drop from the 36,077 inspections done in the same period last year.

From said inspection efforts this year, JAS revealed just 736 compounds were issued – 312 for excess black smoke emissions from diesel vehicles, whilst the remaining 424 compounds were cited on motorcycles causing noise disturbances.

Source: BH