SEPANG: The Selangor Road Transport Department (RTD) arrested 67 illegal taxi touts at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and klia2 from Jan to Sept 24 this year.
Selangor RTD director Nazli Md Taib said the number of arrests until September increased by about 70 per cent compared to only 40 arrests made last year.
He said the touts were getting bolder with their illegal activities, as they were seen offering their services openly at the arrival gates of the two airports.
"Out of the 67 touts, 23 were arrested at KLIA and 44 at klia2," he told reporters during a press conference here earlier.
The apprehended touts comprised 65 locals, a Bangladeshi and a Pakistani.
Fifty-seven were charged, while another 10 are still waiting for a case hearing.
He said the department seized the touts' vehicles, comprising 18 taxis, 30 private vehicles, three rented cars, five company vehicles, five tour buses and six Uber/Grab cars.
The latest arrests were made last Saturday when nine touts were nabbed during an operation codenamed `Ops Ulat', with the involvement of 10 RTD personnel.
"We found that two of the nine were repeat offenders, and this clearly shows that the touts are not afraid of the law.
"They don't mind paying the minimal penalty and repeat their offence," he added.
Nazli said the department will have a discussion with the court to fine repeat offenders with a hefty penalty of up to RM50,000, or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both under Section 205 of the Land Transport Act.
He said the touts’ monthly earnings could be as low as RM6,000 or as high as RM12,000.
"Some of them were doing this full-time and earn a handsome salary.
"This is because many foreign customers don't mind paying fare as low as RM300, and this could go up to thousands of ringgit depending on where they want to go, and how long they require the touts’ services," he added.