Why Indonesia and Malaysia Use the Bilingual 'Berhenti Stop Sign' on Public Roads

Breaking down the facts behind Why Indonesia and Malaysia Use the Bilingual 'Berhenti Stop Sign' on Public Roads—read on to discover what experts are saying.

Q1: Does a Malaysian 'Berhenti' sign carry the same legal weight as an English 'Stop' sign?

A1: Yes. Under Section 79 of the Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987, any regulatory sign erected by the highway authority or public works department carries full statutory force. A driver who fails to bring their vehicle to a complete halt behind the white stop line faces compounding fines up to RM 300 and penalty demerit points, regardless of whether the sign reads "BERHENTI" or includes secondary English text.

Q2: Why do some signs in Indonesia read 'STOP' while others read 'BERHENTI'?

A2: Indonesia's official national standards under Ministry of Transportation Regulation PM 13/2014 formally adopted the international Latin inscription "STOP" to align with global trade corridors. However, local municipal departments, older provincial roads, and private facilities frequently utilize legacy signs featuring the Indonesian term "BERHENTI". Both variants represent legally binding regulatory commands under Article 287 of Law No. 22/2009.

Q3: Can foreign drivers with International Driving Permits be fined for failing to stop at a Berhenti sign?

A3: Yes. Under international driving treaties, motorists operating foreign or rental vehicles must obey all domestic regulatory road markings. Ignorance of local terminology does not provide a legal defense, because the octagonal shape of the sign is universally codified under the Vienna Convention to communicate a mandatory full stop across all member jurisdictions.