KOTA KINABALU: Five out of 60 commercial vehicle drivers screened in a recent operation failed their drug tests, says the Sabah Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Its director Datuk Mohd Harris Ali, in stressing that there would be no compromise with lawbreakers, said the offenders will face legal action following the raids, which began on July 1.
"The operation focused on strategic locations such as roads, computer inspection stations and bus terminals involving public transport, tour vehicles and cargo vehicles," he said in a statement after the Ops Bersepadu Dadah in Inanam near here on Tuesday (July 7) night.
He said prior to this, Sabah JPJ issued a total of 588 summonses between June 16 and Monday (July 6) under the Foreign Driver Special Ops Enforcement from 3,947 vehicles inspected.
Out the inspected vehicles, 28 were seized for various offences while 218 faced other forms of action, Harris added.
The integrated operations were conducted with the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), police and other enforcement agencies.
The crackdown aimed at strengthening enforcement to ensure commercial vehicle drivers stay drug-free and follow traffic regulations at all times, as well as taking prompt action against offenders.
Drivers who tested positive for drugs immediately had their Competent Driving Licence and vocational licence held pending investigations, Harris said.
He said the department wants to increase the level of adherence to traffic regulations and anti-drug laws, and increase awareness among drivers and transport companies on their responsibilities to ensure road safety.
Some drivers would have their licences suspended for three months, while companies that failed to ensure their workers are drug-free also faced punitive action, he added.
