Military police have issued their own warning to those illegally using military licence plates on their vehicles, doubling down on a similar directive issued by the Ministry of Interior last month.

According to a letter from the commander of the military police dated October 16, beginning on October 26, military police forces will check all vehicles bearing RCAF number plates to weed out offenders.

“Military Police officers and unauthorised officers who go against the measure will be arrested and the vehicle will be impounded. Individuals who have been educated once and keep repeating the mistake will face the law,” the letter states.

The letter also ordered officials to remove any heavy tinting from their windows, and directed them to wear helmets when riding motorbikes.

San Chey, of the accountability NGO ANSA-EAP, said that reforms should also be made to the vehicle registration process at the ministerial level, noting that the improper use of military and police plates was a common tactic to evade taxes on new vehicles, sapping the state’s coffers.