SEREMBAN: Bus and lorry operators have urged former transport minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to raise a series of challenges facing the transport industry in Parliament, following a dialogue attended by industry representatives in Nilai.
The dialogue, attended by Dr Wee, Barisan Nasional’s Nilai candidate Datuk Alan Lai and MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low, brought together representatives from the school bus, factory bus, tour bus and lorry sectors, as well as transport-related associations.
Dr Wee said operators highlighted several pressing concerns affecting their businesses, including rising operating costs, labour shortages, competition from foreign tour bus operators and enforcement-related issues.
“The operators expressed their hope that, as a Member of Parliament, I will bring these industry concerns to Parliament and the relevant ministries for follow-up.
“They also look forward to Datuk Alan Lai, if elected as the State Assemblyman for Nilai, becoming a strong voice for local transport operators within the state government and advocating for fairer policies and greater support for the industry,” Dr Wee said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 29).
He said operators told him they had been unable to benefit from diesel subsidies, resulting in higher operating costs, while many companies were also struggling to recruit qualified drivers and workers.
Participants also raised concerns over what they described as increasing competition from foreign tour bus operators, which they said had reduced business opportunities for local companies, as well as what they viewed as inconsistent enforcement by certain authorities, he added.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Low said the dialogue provided transport and logistics stakeholders with an opportunity to share the challenges affecting their businesses directly with Dr Wee and Lai.
He said among the issues raised were increasing operating costs, the lack of targeted diesel subsidies, frequent policy changes, a shortage of qualified drivers, competition from foreign tourist bus operators and enforcement-related concerns.
“MCA would continue engaging with industry players and support efforts to ensure their concerns were conveyed to the relevant authorities,” he said.
He added that Dr Wee had committed to raising the matters in Parliament and pressing the relevant ministries to consider practical, long-term solutions.
Low also expressed confidence that Alan, if elected, would represent the interests of transport operators at the state level and advocate policies that support the industry’s long-term development.
