MELAKA: Eight transport companies operating buses and lorries in the state have had their operating licences suspended after failing to comply with safety standards set under the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) Safety Inspection and Audit System (Jisa).
Melaka JPJ director Siti Zarina Mohd Yusop said the suspensions were the result of enforcement actions and audits carried out this year under Section 230 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715).
She said 73 companies were audited under Jisa by the department’s Commercial Vehicle Inspection and Control Unit, covering four categories, among others, road accident, periodic and targeted, post-action and complaint-based audits.
“Out of the 73 companies audited, 45 failed to meet compliance requirements while 28 passed.
"Eight of those that failed have since had their operating licences suspended,” she said in a statement Wednesday (Oct 29).
Siti Zarina said the Jisa audit is aimed at ensuring that transport operators maintain strict standards of safety and vehicle management for both commercial and public service vehicles.
She added that all operators are required to comply with seven mandatory conditions to avoid suspension or cancellation of their licences by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
She noted that among the conditions are the appointment of an Occupational Safety and Health Officer, installation and monitoring of GPS tracking systems on all operating vehicles, ensuring driving hours do not exceed eight hours a day with a minimum 30-minute break every four hours, preparation of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and displaying the company’s hotline number on vehicles for public complaints.
“Melaka JPJ will continue to strengthen its audit and monitoring measures to ensure consistent compliance among transport operators,” she said.
In a separate development, Siti Zarina said a public auction of forfeited vehicles conducted by Melaka JPJ on Wednesday raised RM103,489, with 54 bidders taking part.
She said a total of 52 vehicles were auctioned, comprising 40 motorcycles, eight cars, two panel vans, one rigid cargo lorry, and one semi-trailer following forfeiture orders issued by the Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin courts.
"The highest bid recorded was RM25,000 for a Daihatsu Copen, while the lowest was RM150 for a motorcycle," she said.
