Ayer Keroh crash: urgent, bold action needed to protect lives

 

From Wan Agyl Wan Hassan

The tragic accident on Dec 23, near Ayer Keroh, Melaka, has shaken the nation. Seven lives were lost and 33 others were injured in a preventable accident caused by a detached lorry tyre.

This is not just a terrible accident—it is a reflection of deep-seated issues in our freight industry and road safety systems. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to those affected by this tragedy.

However, condolences alone are not enough. We must act now to address these failures and prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Negligence can lead to devastating consequences.

While we wait for a full investigation, questions need to be answered immediately. If, as claimed, it was caused by the lorry, questions arise as to how it passed inspections, and why the defect was not caught earlier. Why are such lapses still happening on our roads?

The freight industry has long faced challenges, including rising costs and ageing vehicles, but this cannot excuse the dangerous practices that have become all too common. Overloading vehicles, delaying maintenance, and using low-quality parts may save costs in the short term, but endanger everyone on the road.

The numbers tell a grim story: while heavy vehicles make up only 10% of highway traffic, they are involved in 34% of fatal accidents on PLUS highways. This imbalance is a clear sign that safety is being sacrificed for profit, and it must stop.

At the heart of the issue is the failure of regulatory oversight. Puspakom, tasked with inspecting vehicles to ensure roadworthiness, has come under scrutiny over allegations of inefficiency and corruption.

Reports of a cartel renting out tyres and parts to help unfit vehicles pass inspections further erode public trust. How many more lives must be lost before we take action to clean up this system?

The road transport department must also step up its enforcement efforts, as inconsistent roadside inspections and a lack of transparency allow dangerous vehicles to continue operating unchecked.

The state of our roads adds to these risks. Poorly maintained routes—like the Pulau Indah Expressway (PIE), which leads to Port Klang—are riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces. These conditions make it even more dangerous for heavy vehicles to operate.

Since 2017, the PIE alone has seen over 2,300 accidents and 26 fatalities. When our infrastructure is failing, even vehicles in good condition become a hazard.

The Ayer Keroh tragedy has also highlighted the absence of a centralised authority like the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), which was dissolved in 2018.

The lack of a single, unified body to oversee transport regulation has led to fragmented enforcement and weakened accountability. Reintroducing a centralised body like SPAD is no longer a matter of debate—it is a necessity.

A body like SPAD would have the power to coordinate regulations, oversee inspection providers and enforce safety standards across the board. It should also be empowered with the authority and resources to hold all stakeholders accountable.

We also demand the following reforms:

1. Fix vehicle inspections:

• conduct independent audits of Puspakom to identify weaknesses and corruption;
• introduce advanced tools and technologies to ensure thorough inspections without human interference; and
• expedite the inspection market competition to improve accountability and restore public trust.

2. Crack down on corruption and cartels:

• investigate and dismantle syndicates involved in renting parts and tyres for fraudulent inspections; and
• impose severe penalties, including licence revocation, on operators and facilities involved in such practices.

3. Improve road safety enforcement:

• increase roadside checks and strictly enforce weight limits and maintenance requirements: and
• make enforcement efforts transparent by regularly publishing reports on compliance and violations.

4. Repair and upgrade infrastructure:

• allocate resources for immediate repairs on high-risk freight routes like the Pulau Indah Expressway; and
• design roads to accommodate heavy vehicle traffic safely and reduce risks for all users.

5. Support safer practices:

• enforce mandatory rest periods and provide proper training for drivers to reduce fatigue-related accidents: and
• incentivise freight operators to adopt safety technologies like GPS tracking and tyre pressure monitoring systems.

All stakeholders—freight operators, regulators, policymakers and infrastructure managers—must take responsibility for their role in ensuring our roads are safe. Cutting corners, whether to save costs or avoid enforcement, is not just unethical—it is deadly.

We owe it to the families of the victims to ensure that no one else suffers the same loss. The time for empty promises is over. We need immediate, meaningful reforms that save lives and restore public trust in our transport system. - FMT

Wan Agyl Wan Hassan is founder and CEO of transport think tank MY Mobility Vision.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.