GOMBAK: Certain lorry drivers are using special stickers or decals to identify themselves within informal “tonto” networks that provide information on the whereabouts of enforcement officers to help them evade action, says the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said these tonto groups would trail JPJ teams as soon as enforcement operations begin and relay the latest information to lorries bearing the stickers or decals.
“These lorries would temporarily leave their routes and lie low until the operation ends, before continuing their journey.
“Some were also found using alternative roads to avoid being stopped for checks,” he said, adding that the tontos would charge fees for their services.
He added that the department would forward such information to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for further action.
JPJ is also considering carrying out joint operations with the MACC to curb such activities, he said.
Muhammad Kifli added that JPJ has taken action against a total of 415,846 vehicles for various offences over the last two years.
They also issued 45,986 notices under the Road Transport Act 1987 (P22) in 2024 and 57,174 notices in 2025.
A total of 14,885 P22 summonses were issued in the first four months of this year.
Apart from summonses, JPJ also carried out seizures involving 753 vehicles, namely lorries that violated permit conditions and legal provisions under the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
Among the states recording the highest number of seizures was Penang, with 133, followed by Selangor with 125 and Pahang with 101.
During the same period, JPJ also initiated forfeiture proceedings against 30 lorries for overloading.
He reminded all lorry operators that any vehicle carrying a load exceeding 50% above the permitted Gross Vehicle Weight will be seized by JPJ.
The department would then seek court orders to forfeit the vehicles.
He said overloading beyond the permitted limit was a serious offence.
