MALACCA, MALAYSIA: Metered taxi drivers, beware! From May 14, any of them found flouting the law will risk losing their licence on the spot.

Road Transport Department enforcement director Salim Parlan said the department would be conducting round-the-clock checks against errant metered taxi drivers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang.

"We have received complaints against taxi drivers in these states. We want to put an end to their spree of cheating passengers," he said after attending a function at the Road Transportation Academy in Ayer Molek yesterday.

"Enough is enough. Taxi drivers caught over-charging passengers, being rude to customers, declining to take customers to requested destinations, driving recklessly, using modified meters and charging passengers a flat rate without the use of the meter will lose their licence immediately."

Asked why the department was only focusing on the four states, Salim said taxis in other states were still allowed to operate without a meter.

"But, many drivers do not comply with the rules and regulations stipulated under the law. They think they can do as they wish and cheat passengers."

On another matter, Salim said RTD officers were now empowered to issue summonses against stationary lorries that were overloaded.

"In the past, we did not have the power to do anything to overloaded lorries unless they were moving on the road. Now, we can summon lorry drivers and the transport companies of the lorries that stop by the side of the road."