Can You Record a JPJ Roadblock? What Malaysian Drivers Should Know
Can You Record a JPJ Roadblock? What Malaysian Drivers Should Know
Yes, Malaysian drivers can generally record enforcement officers performing their duties, provided they do not obstruct an operation, but sharing information about enforcement activities can carry legal risks under the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026. With the new Section 110B taking effect on 16 October 2026, motorists need to understand the difference between recording a roadblock and helping others evade enforcement.
Whether you want to document an encounter, protect yourself against misconduct or simply keep evidence of an interaction, knowing where the law draws the line is important. Here is what Malaysian drivers should understand before taking out their phones at a JPJ roadblock.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Recording enforcement officers performing their duties is not automatically a criminal offence in Malaysia.
- Section 110B of the Road Transport Act 1987 came into force on 16 October 2026.
- The new provision addresses obstruction, harassment, following enforcement vehicles and disseminating information about enforcement activities.
- A conviction under Section 110B carries a fine of RM10,000 to RM50,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both.
- The government has clarified that the provision targets activities intended to help offenders evade enforcement, rather than ordinary public recording without criminal intent.
Can You Record a JPJ Roadblock in Malaysia?
Recording and sharing are two different things. There is no general prohibition that automatically makes filming an enforcement officer performing official duties a criminal offence.
However, the situation becomes more complicated when recordings or information about enforcement activities are distributed to help other people avoid being caught committing traffic offences.
This distinction became particularly important following the introduction of Section 110B under the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026, which came into force on 16 October 2026.
During parliamentary proceedings on 24 June 2026, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook explained that the provision was intended to tackle activities associated with tonto networks, including helping offenders evade enforcement.
He also clarified that the provision was not intended to criminalise journalists performing their duties, members of the public recording enforcement incidents or social media users sharing information without criminal intent.
Drivers should therefore understand that simply taking out a phone to document an interaction is not automatically equivalent to obstructing a JPJ operation.
What Does Section 110B of the Road Transport Act Say?
Section 110B was introduced to tackle interference with enforcement operations. It covers conduct involving police officers and road transport officers, including JPJ personnel, while they are performing their official duties.
Under Section 110B(1), a person commits an offence if they engage in any of the following activities:
- Obstructing, harassing, assaulting, threatening or provoking a police officer or road transport officer.
- Using abusive words or causing injury, harm or molestation to an enforcement officer.
- Following the motor vehicle of a police officer or road transport officer while the officer is performing official duties.
- Disseminating information about the activities of police officers or road transport officers while they are performing their official duties.
Why does this matter to ordinary drivers? The wording concerning the dissemination of information has attracted attention because it covers information about enforcement activities.
For example, sending information about a JPJ checkpoint to people who intend to avoid inspections could fall within the conduct targeted by the provision.
However, the Transport Minister clarified in Parliament that the intention behind the provision is to address people who help offenders or syndicates evade enforcement, rather than ordinary members of the public recording an incident without criminal intent.
The distinction between public-interest reporting and deliberately helping offenders avoid enforcement is therefore important.
Read the official parliamentary proceedings and the text of Section 110B for further details.
What Should You Do If You Want to Record a Roadblock?
Recording responsibly is important. If you witness an incident at a JPJ roadblock and believe that documenting it is necessary, avoid actions that could interfere with enforcement officers or create unnecessary safety risks.
1. Keep a Safe Distance
Do not approach an active roadblock or enter a restricted enforcement area just to obtain better footage.
Remain in a safe and lawful location, particularly when vehicles are moving through the checkpoint. Your safety and the safety of other road users should come first.
2. Avoid Obstructing Enforcement Officers
Do not block an officer's movement, interfere with vehicle inspections or interrupt an ongoing enforcement operation.
If officers are carrying out their duties, allow them to complete their work. Recording should never become an excuse to argue, provoke or physically interfere with an officer.
Section 186 of the Penal Code also makes voluntarily obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions an offence.
Under this section, a conviction can carry imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both.
3. Be Careful When Sharing Recordings
Taking a video for personal documentation and distributing information about an enforcement operation are not necessarily treated the same way.
Before uploading footage, consider whether the information could help individuals or syndicates evade enforcement or interfere with an ongoing operation.
If you believe an officer has acted improperly, preserve the original recording and consider submitting it through the appropriate official complaint channels rather than using it to alert people who may be attempting to evade the law.
Expert Tip: Preserve the Original Recording
If you record an incident involving an enforcement officer, keep the original video, including its date and time information. Avoid editing or deleting important footage, as the original recording may be useful when making a formal complaint or providing evidence.
Common Mistake: Assuming Private WhatsApp Groups Are Automatically Exempt
Sharing a roadblock location in a private WhatsApp group does not automatically make the activity legally safe. If the information is deliberately distributed to help offenders avoid enforcement, it could attract scrutiny under Section 110B.
What Are the Penalties Under Section 110B?
The penalties under Section 110B are substantial. Anyone convicted of an offence under this provision can face a significant fine, imprisonment or both.
The penalties are set out under the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026.
| Legal detail | Penalty or requirement |
|---|---|
| Relevant legislation | Road Transport Act 1987 |
| Relevant provision | Section 110B |
| Effective date | 16 October 2026 |
| Minimum fine | RM10,000 |
| Maximum fine | RM50,000 |
| Imprisonment | One to five years |
| Combined punishment | Fine and imprisonment may both apply |
| Offence classification | Seizable offence |
Important: These penalties apply upon conviction for an offence under Section 110B. They are not automatic fines for everyone who records a JPJ roadblock or mentions an enforcement checkpoint.
The circumstances and evidence surrounding the alleged conduct remain important when determining whether an offence has occurred.
Old Way vs Motorist App: Staying Prepared on Malaysian Roads
Knowing your rights at a roadblock is one part of responsible driving. Keeping track of your vehicle's documents, traffic fines and other ownership responsibilities is equally important.
Instead of relying entirely on memory or checking multiple sources, the Motorist App provides tools that help Malaysian drivers manage their vehicle-related responsibilities.
| Old way | Motorist App |
|---|---|
| Remember road tax and insurance expiry dates manually. | Receive reminders for important vehicle-related deadlines. |
| Check traffic conditions across different sources. | Access real-time traffic updates and available traffic camera feeds. |
| Check traffic summonses separately. | Receive traffic fine alerts and access available payment features. |
| Search online for answers to motoring questions. | Get personalised motoring assistance through AutoConcierge. |
| Keep separate records of vehicle information. | Access vehicle-related information through the app. |
One important distinction: The Motorist App is a vehicle ownership management platform, not an official JPJ enforcement channel. It does not determine whether recording a roadblock is lawful or guarantee live JPJ roadblock alerts. Drivers should refer to official authorities for legal requirements and enforcement matters.
With its traffic updates, vehicle reminders, fine alerts and AutoConcierge assistance, Motorist helps drivers stay informed and organised throughout their driving journey.
What Malaysian Drivers Should Remember
Recording a JPJ roadblock is not automatically a criminal offence, but interfering with enforcement operations or deliberately sharing information to help offenders evade the authorities can carry serious legal consequences under Section 110B. Understand the difference, record responsibly and stay informed about your responsibilities as a motorist.
Download the Motorist App to manage your vehicle-related responsibilities, receive important reminders and access useful motoring information in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it illegal to record a JPJ roadblock in Malaysia?
Recording a JPJ roadblock is not automatically illegal. However, motorists must avoid obstructing officers or interfering with enforcement operations.
2. Can JPJ officers stop me from recording them?
The circumstances matter. Officers may need to address recording that interferes with their duties or compromises an operation, but recording alone is not automatically an offence.
3. What is Section 110B of the Road Transport Act 1987?
Section 110B is a provision introduced under the 2026 amendment that addresses obstruction, harassment, following enforcement vehicles and disseminating information about enforcement activities.
4. When did Section 110B come into effect in Malaysia?
Section 110B came into force on 16 October 2026 as part of the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026.
5. What is the fine for sharing JPJ roadblock information?
A conviction under Section 110B can result in a fine between RM10,000 and RM50,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both.
6. Can I share a JPJ roadblock location on WhatsApp?
Sharing a roadblock location to help offenders evade enforcement could fall within Section 110B. The circumstances and purpose of sharing the information are important.
7. Can I upload a video of a JPJ officer on social media?
Public recording and reporting are not automatically criminal offences. However, uploading information that helps people evade enforcement or interferes with an operation could create legal risks.
8. Can I be arrested for recording a police or JPJ roadblock?
Recording alone does not automatically justify an arrest under Section 110B. However, conduct that amounts to an offence under the relevant legislation may lead to enforcement action.
9. Does Section 110B apply to police roadblocks too?
Yes. Section 110B covers both police officers and road transport officers, including JPJ officers, performing their official duties.
10. Can I use my phone to record evidence of misconduct at a roadblock?
Recording an incident for documentation is not automatically an offence. Keep the original footage and consider submitting it through the appropriate official complaint channels.
11. Can I be fined for simply mentioning a roadblock to my friends?
Not automatically. The circumstances, purpose and nature of the information-sharing matter when determining whether Section 110B applies.
12. Does Motorist App provide live JPJ roadblock alerts?
Motorist App provides vehicle management tools, traffic updates and available traffic camera information. It should not be treated as a guaranteed source of live JPJ roadblock alerts or official enforcement information.
13. Where can I check the latest road transport laws in Malaysia?
Motorists can refer to the official JPJ website and relevant government announcements for information about road transport legislation and enforcement requirements.
Download the Motorist App for more updates
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