Loke clarifies diabetes and high blood pressure issues

THE Transport Ministry has dismissed the notion that lorry drivers with diabetes or high blood pressure would no longer be allowed to work.

Minister Anthony Loke says that as long as they undergo treatment and take their medicine on time, they can continue with the job.

“If a doctor declares them as fit, their licence will be renewed, ” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling), on the recent protest by lorry drivers following new regulations imposed on them concerning their health evaluation.

“It doesn’t mean that just because they have diabetes or high blood pressure they can no longer drive.”

Abdul Azeez said it was unfair for those with illnesses such as diabetes to be penalised or risk not having their licence renewed as the new regulation requires health examination results.

Last month, some 500 lorry drivers turned up at the Transport Ministry and urged the government to reconsider the new conditions.

Loke said the ministry understood the issues faced by lorry drivers but the overall safety of the road users was pivotal.

“If the lorry driver is unfit or has a bad (driving) record, we need to take action.

“We always look for ways to help them but at the same time, the safety of people on the road is a collective responsibility, ” he said.

Loke told Abdul Azeez not to listen to rumours as not every lorry driver with diabetes would be banned from driving because it depends on the health examination results provided by doctors.