JOHOR BARU - The Malaysian government has not ordered the police to deny entry to foreign motorists with outstanding traffic summonses, the police chief said on Wednesday (April 3), contradicting an earlier media report which said the police were mulling over a crackdown.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said there have been no instructions from the government to the authorities, including the police, to implement such a course of action, The Star reported.

"Our operation to identity traffic offenders, including foreigners, is routine and on-going from time to time," he was quoted as telling reporters at the launch of the Southern Region Police band at Johor Police Contingent headquarters.

Tan Sri Fuzi was asked to comment on Singapore's move to enforce a clampdown on all foreign vehicles with outstanding fines for traffic, parking and vehicular emissions entering the city state, starting from April 1.

"We don't interfere with Singapore's ruling, as it is their prerogative," he said.

Malaysian police are mulling the possibility of doing the same to errant foreign drivers, Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported on Tuesday, citing Federal Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Azisman Alias.

"We will discuss with the Road Traffic Department to take a similar measure and find an approach for foreign vehicles entering Malaysia," he told Utusan Malaysia.

Singapore authorities reminded foreign motorists last week to pay their fines before April 1 or risk being denied entry into Singapore.

As of February, drivers of foreign vehicles had accumulated about 400,000 outstanding fines amounting to $32 million.

Motorists can check whether they have outstanding fines at www.axs.com.sg.

Across the Causeway, Malaysian police have taken action against foreign motorists with outstanding fines.

In 2017, Johor police said they were going after Singapore motorists, who were responsible for more than 140,000 unpaid summonses.