Malaysian police are clamping down on errant Singaporean motorists by setting up roadblocks in southern Johor state, local media reported today.

Official police statistics show that Singaporean motorists have accumulated 95,460 outstanding summonses, totaling RM28.6 million (US$7.5 million) worth of fines, in neighbouring Malaysia over the past three years.

"This year alone, Singaporeans have yet to settle 90 percent of the 21,289 summonses issued since January," state police chief Musa Hassan was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times .

Some Singaporean drivers had also torn up the summonses in front of traffic policemen or refused to accept them when caught speeding or parking illegally, he said.

Strategic spots

"I have directed my district police chiefs to kick off roadblocks at strategic spots around the state to stop these errant drivers," he was quoted as saying by the Star.

"We will come down hard on Singaporeans who tear up summonses or refuse to accept summonses," Musa said.

He said they could be jailed for up to three months and slapped with a maximum fine of RM1,000.

Last month police said they issued arrest warrants for nearly 10,000 Singaporean motorists who failed to pay fines for traffic offences, particularly speeding, in Malaysia.

Malaysia last month also said it was to introduce on-the-spot summonses for Singaporeans to replace the present system under which most summonses were issued through Singapore authorities after they were notified of the offence.