KOTA BARU: More than 1,000 private vans in Kelantan are believed to be providing transport services for schoolchildren without meeting the requirements and regulations stipulated for public transport vehicles.
Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Mohd Misuari Abdullah said of this total, about 100 vans have been detected operating in this city alone, with most being over 20 years old.
He stressed that his department views this activity seriously, as the use of private vehicles to transport schoolchildren on a commercial basis must comply with established licensing and permit requirements, as well as specific technical and safety standards.
"Following public complaints, Kelantan JPJ conducted an operation targeting public transport service vehicles around Kota Baru on Thursday (Nov 5).
"Nine private vans were impounded after being found used as school transport without complying with the required regulations.
"A total of 20 P22 summons notices were issued covering 18 instances of the misuse of Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM) and two cases involving expired LKM, in addition to nine seizure notices issued under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987," he told a press conference at JPJ headquarters here on Tuesday (Nov 10).
Misuari noted that, in total, 29 enforcement actions were recorded during the operation.
He urged van owners and drivers not to take students' safety lightly while ensuring that their vehicles are in good condition and that they possess all valid documentation and licences.
He stressed that the enforcement actions are not intended solely as punishment, but rather as a preventive measure to safeguard the lives of passengers, specifically school students.
"The safety of passengers, especially school students, is not something that can be compromised,” he said. – Bernama
