Compliance check: JPJ conducting a special op to crack down on commercial vehicles at the Dengkil North Bound R&R. — Bernama
SEPANG: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has intensified its crackdown on errant commercial vehicles with 274 seized since the launch of “Ops Gempur Kenderaan Perdagangan” on Sept 1.
JPJ senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the nationwide operation has so far led to 13,071 summonses being issued for various serious traffic offences.
“A total of 133,598 commercial vehicles had been inspected, with the operation set to continue until the end of the year.
“The high number of summonses shows that many drivers and owners of commercial vehicles are still flouting basic road transport laws despite long-standing enforcement,” he told reporters following an operation in Dengkil on Tuesday.
Among the major offences recorded were driving without a valid licence, expired road tax, vehicles without insurance, lack of vocational licences and a range of technical violations, he added.
“These are not minor offences. They directly impact road safety, not only for the drivers themselves but also for other road users.
“When a driver is unlicensed or a vehicle uninsured, the risks to the public in the event of an accident is extremely high,” he said.
Muhammad Kifli stressed that JPJ would not compromise on enforcement, with offenders facing action under the Road Transport Act 1987, the Land Public Transport Act 2010 and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987.
“Compliance with the law is a shared responsibility. There is no excuse for operators or drivers to neglect this because the safety of all road users must come first,” he added.
Some lorry drivers have resorted to giving excuses such as “no funds” or claiming they “overlooked” safety requirements when caught using bald and unsafe tyres, Muhammad Kifli said.
“The excuses were aimed at evading action during the special operation.
“Some of the vehicles inspected were found to be operating not only with dangerously worn-out tyres at risk of bursting but also without valid road tax and insurance.
“This careless attitude not only endangers drivers and their assistants but also puts other road users at serious risk,” he said.
Muhammad Kifli added that the department takes the matter seriously, stressing that bald tyres in particular could lead to fatal accidents.
On the vehicles seized since the start of Ops Gempur, he said 83 were lorries and seven buses for using unsafe tyres and failing to renew road tax for more than five years.
“Some of the seized vehicles were driven by foreign nationals.
“This operation focuses on all drivers, locals and foreigners, and we have also detected repeat offenders.
“In such cases, we take firm action, including seizing vehicles to ensure they are not allowed back on the road without proper compliance,” he said.
Muhammad Kifli dismissed claims from some operators that they could not afford to replace tyres due to high costs.
“Such excuses are unacceptable. Every operator is responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe before they are allowed to operate,” he added.
He said the operation is not confined to highways and R&R stops but also covers other routes commonly used by lorries and buses.
“This strict action is crucial to ensure that stubborn operators take corrective measures and comply with operating conditions.
“Our objective is not merely punitive but also educational, to remind drivers and owners that every regulation exists for one reason: to protect lives,” he said.
Muhammad Kifli also urged the public to report errant commercial vehicles via the MyJPJ app or by emailing aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my with complete details.
