Published by: FREE MALAYSIA TODAY
Minderjeet Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR (06 March 2025) — Transport minister Loke Siew Fook has warned transport operators to comply with road regulations or risk suspension, citing a high number of heavy vehicles violating safety rules.
Loke said strict enforcement has led to complaints from some quarters, but he stressed that the government has no choice given the high rate of non-compliance.
“Some have even complained about the enforcement. But we have no option but to take firm action because public safety is our top priority,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to an additional question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) over special checks on heavy vehicles on roads.
Loke said a large number of transport companies were audited last year, with several facing suspension.
“If a company is suspended for 30 days, imagine the impact if all their vehicles are grounded and their contracts are affected.
“But we must send a strong and clear message to transport companies to prioritise road safety.
“There can be no compromise on this,” he added.
To a question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) on whether the government would introduce new laws to ensure heavy vehicles follow road rules, Loke said the government has already implemented several measures, including restrictions on heavy vehicles on highways during peak hours.
“During this Raya period, for example, we will impose a complete ban for two days on heavy vehicles, except for critical transport services,” he said.
Loke also said the government is currently reviewing safety laws to hold not only transport companies accountable but also cargo owners.
“If cargo owners insist on (transporters) overloading their vehicles, action will be taken against them as well,” he said.
In December, investigations by authorities revealed that a fatal accident at KM 204 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS), northbound in Melaka, which resulted in seven fatalities and 33 injuries, was caused by a dislodged tyre from a trailer lorry.
The incident sparked widespread calls online for tougher regulations on commercial vehicles and stricter penalties for negligence.
In February, the Malaysian Highway Authority announced a peak-hour ban on four highways – the North-South Expressway (NSE), the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), the North-South Expressway Central Link (Elite), and the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE).
The move saw heavy vehicle operators fuming over the newly imposed peak-hour highway restrictions. They said this and backlogs at Puspakom inspection centres, were driving up operating costs.