KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 247 heavy vehicle operation licences were suspended last year, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
For violating road safety standards, 23 vehicle permits were also suspended, Loke added.
He noted that suspensions can be up to 90 days for serious offences.
Loke said 2024 recorded the most suspensions of operation licenses and vehicle permits for violating the Occupational Safety and Health Industry Code of Practice for Road Transport Activities 2010 (ICOP).
In 2023, 101 operation licences were suspended, 94 in 2022 and only eight cases between 2019 to 2021.
Between 2022 to 2024, Loke pointed out that seven operation licences were cancelled, which disallows the company from operating any of their registered vehicles.
According to Loke, one of the companies whose license was suspended last year is also listed on Bursa Malaysia and had a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles.
“As reported, the company had to announce its suspension on Bursa Malaysia as it had serious implications on their operations.
“This reflects the ministry’s firm stance and shows it will not hesitate to take action, even against larger companies, when there are non-compliance matters that can affect the public’s safety on roads,” he said, during the ministry’s parliamentary question time on Wednesday (Feb 26).
He stressed that the ministry will continue its firm action alongside improving other road safety initiatives, including enforcement against overloaded heavy vehicles, periodic inspections and improving ICOP adherence among industry players.
Loke was responding to a question by Datuk Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) who asked about measures taken by the ministry to reduce the number of accidents involving heavy vehicles.
He also asked whether any additional steps can be taken apart from suspending or cancelling operation licenses for overloaded vehicles.
To this, Loke said the company operator can be charged in court, with a fine of up to RM500,000 or face imprisonment for not more than two years under the Land Public Transport Agency Act.
“Their vehicles can also be forfeited and there have been previous cases which we have brought to court.
“This is to send a strong message for operators not to overload the vehicles,” he said.
He noted that they are also looking into whether the cargo owner can also be held liable, apart from the driver and company operator.
On the High-Speed Weigh in Motion (HS-WIM) system, Loke said they are currently procuring the necessary machines and cameras which will be installed at selected locations for the initial rollout.
“The system also allows more efficient monitoring of overloaded heavy vehicles, and intend for it to reduce the rate of said vehicles on the road,” he said.