PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Anthony Loke today reiterated a need for ongoing engagements between lorry driver associations and the Road Transport Department (RTD).
He said this was to find a mutually agreeable solution that safeguards the operations of lorry drivers, while at the same protecting the public from hazards caused by overweight lorries on the roads.
“On the lorry driver picket, we must look at the reason for the picket. It was because of enforcement by RTD.
“As the minister in charge, I can’t tell the RTD to stop enforcement. If we don’t carry out enforcement, the public will be angry,” said Loke in his Supply Bill 2024 winding-up speech in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“We must find a good solution so that lorry operators can continue normal operations but the public also remains safe,” he said.
Loke was responding to Khairil Nizam Khirudin (Perikatan Nasional-Jerantut) who highlighted demands from lorry drivers in a picket earlier this month for RTD to increase the current cargo limits and enable them to transport more goods.
Lorry drivers across several states had demonstrated against what they alleged were “unfair” treatment by the RTD, including to seize overweight vehicles.
Loke also urged Khairul Nizam to look at the issue from both an operational and public safety angle.
Khairul Nizam, however, said he had previously suggested the government implement the Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems or an array of sensors that could accurately determine whether a vehicle is carrying excessive weight.
While noting the suggestion, Loke said there are also cost considerations and identified weaknesses, including errant drivers could end up avoiding main roads and instead go through inner roads with higher risk to the public.
Additionally, he said any request to increase the allowed weight limit of vehicles on roads is also subject to approvals from the Works Ministry. - Mkini
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