We’ve all seen the viral posts circulating on WhatsApp and TikTok over the past week, leaving thousands of Malaysian motorists in an absolute panic. The rumor mill was spinning fast: a sudden reminder from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) warned that using removable sunshades, curtains, or blinds while driving is technically an offense under the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Types of Glass) Rules 1991. Rumors of a strict RM300 fine had drivers ready to rip their cheap mesh protectors off their windows.
But before you let your car cabin turn into a literal tropical oven under our relentless local heatwaves, take a deep breath.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has stepped directly into the spotlight to clear up the chaos. The verdict? You can keep your sunshades. The ministry has not ordered a crackdown, and the JPJ Director-General has issued zero directives to fine you for simply trying to block out the glare.
While the 1991 rule book technically restricts physical window accessories while a vehicle is in motion, Loke made it crystal clear that authorities practice selective, common-sense enforcement. JPJ officers have far more critical, high-risk safety threats to deal with on our national roads than a piece of mesh fabric.
Instead of hunting down everyday drivers, the Transport Minister revealed the 4 major road offenses that law enforcement is actively prioritizing:
Illegal Racing / Street RacingMat Rempit Activities / Stunt RidingDrunk Driving (Driving Under the Influence)Reckless / Dangerous DrivingThe One Catch: Don’t Block Your Mirrors!Does this mean you have total freedom to completely block out your windows? Not quite.
While the ministry understands that cheap clip-on or magnetic sunshades are a necessary survival tool against intense cabin heat, the line is drawn strictly at driver visibility. JPJ’s original warning stemmed from genuine safety concerns: solid, opaque curtains or badly placed blinds can create massive blind spots, making it incredibly dangerous to see pedestrians, changing road conditions, or your own side mirrors.
The practical rule of thumb moving forward is simple: if your temporary sunshades use a perforated, see-through mesh that allows you to safely check your surroundings while driving, you will not face enforcement action.
However, if you install thick fabric drapery that completely blinds your view of the road up front, that is exactly when you can expect a roadblock lecture.
For now, permanent window film tints must still comply with official Visible Light Transmission (VLT) limits (70% for the front windscreen and 50% for front side windows), but your temporary side window shades are completely safe to use responsibly.
