SPAD: 33,652 cases recorded since 2011

KUALA NERUS: As many as 33,652 cases have been recorded by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) involving various types of vehicles from the agency's inception in 2011 until August this year.

SPAD Enforcement Division senior general manager Datuk Paduka Che Hasni Che Ahmad (pic) said the highest recorded offences involved lorry drivers with 12,710 cases, and taxis with 10,547 cases.

Security offences, overloading and bald tyres are the most widely detected offences for lorries. Nearly 5,000 cases comprised security offences followed by 2,807 cases of overloading.

"Whereas many taxi drivers are penalised for operating without a permit and for not using the meter," he told reporters after the Image and Profile Enhancement Training Programme (Impro), here, Monday.

According to him, the highest recorded cases involving taxis were in the big cities like Kuala Lumpur and others.                        

He said 98% of investigation papers have been completed while the rest are still in process.

"Of the 60% of cases completed, some have been imposed with fines and some have been charged in court," he said.

Meanwhile, Che Hasni said the commission was also committed to improve the image of SPAD personnel and officers through the Impro programme implemented last year.

Che Hasni said SPAD's duty was not only to issue tickets to offenders but also to open investigation papers to be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor with evidence so that offenders are brought to court and sentenced.

On another matter, he said SPAD is also committed to resolve and take immediate action to deal with cases involving ticket touts within 24 hours.

"We will not delay such sensitive cases involving these ticket touts and if caught at night, investigations will continue and they will be charged in court the next day.

"Cases involving these ticket touts are taken seriously and we will not compromise with those involved," Che Hasni told reporters.

According to him, from 2011 to August this year a total of 320 ticket touts have been arrested at bus terminals and airports nationwide.

Of the total, 220 have been charged in court and fined, while this year only 11 cases involving ticket touts have been detected.

Meanwhile, Che Hasni said the commission also intended to issue driver's cards to lorry and bus drivers, similar to those issued for taxi operators.

He said this measure would facilitate detection of drivers who committed offences, adding that the card should be displayed in the vehicle. – Bernama