GERIK: The Perak Road Transport Department (JPJ) says 39 commercial and public service vehicle drivers tested positive for drugs out of 153 who were screened during a statewide integrated operation since July 1.
Its director Mohammad Yusoff Abustan said 27 driving licences were also suspended, adding that 38 of those who tested positive were commercial vehicle drivers, while one was a public service vehicle driver.
"Of the 39 drivers, 18 tested positive for ketum, followed by 16 for methamphetamine, three for morphine, and two for cannabis.
"By location, the Gerik Enforcement Station recorded the most cases at 11, followed by Taiping (eight), Seri Manjung and Tapah (seven each), Teluk Intan (four) and Kuala Kangsar (two)," he told a press conference after the operation at the Gerik station here on Wednesday (July 8).
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Yusoff said of the 27 suspended licences, 14 were Competent Driving Licences (CDL), while 13 were Goods Driving Licences (GDL).
He said Perak JPJ viewed drug abuse among commercial vehicle drivers seriously as it could endanger the safety of road users.
The operation targeted commercial, public service and tourist vehicle drivers at strategic locations, including R&R areas, bus terminals and sites identified through risk assessments and intelligence.
Yusoff said the vocational licences of drivers who tested positive would be suspended pending National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) investigations, with further action taken according to the law.
JPJ would also take action against transport companies that failed to ensure compliance with safety requirements, including through audits on driver management.
The initiative, conducted with AADK, the police, Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Puspakom, will continue throughout July to ensure only qualified and drug-free individuals operate commercial vehicles, Yusoff said. – Bernama
