ALOR STAR: Tourists visiting Langkawi are advised to avoid unlicensed rental vehicles to prevent potential problem, Road Transport Department director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said.
Tourists, he said, can easily find licensed rental services at counters located in Langkawi's ferry terminals and airport.
He said unlicensed rental vehicles, despite their popularity, do not provide tourist insurance coverage and could leave tourists burdened with significant costs in the event of an accident or damage.
"Vehicles rental services without permits lack insurance protection for tourists or other consumers, they only have coverage for the owner's use.
"If the vehicle owner rents out the car illegally, the renter assumes all risks because the insurance won't cover any incidents. This poses a considerable risk," he told reporters here today.
He said the matter is not only an issue for consumers and tourists in Langkawi but also applicable nationwide.
On July 19, it was reported that more than 1,000 unlicensed rental vehicles, including private cars, have been detected in illegal rental services offering low rates in Langkawi.
The department's enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the department has intensified its operations to tackle this illegal service.
Meanwhile, Aedy said that recent operations by the department to combat illegal vehicle rental services on the island were conducted after receiving complaints from tourism industry players.
"While we do not intend to disrupt businesses, our goal is to inform consumers after we have received complaints about this issue from tourism industry players.
"When there are complaints, we will fulfill our responsibility to take action, and we do not rush into operations without proper cause," he said.