KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke has defended the government’s tough stance against overloaded lorries claiming enforcement will continue despite complaints from industry groups who’ve warned of rising costs and project delays.
Responding in Parliament today Loke said warnings from construction associations including the Masters Builders Association of Malaysia were expected but insisted that public safety and road integrity must come first.
“Profit is not everything, human life is more important,” he said.
“If our choice is to sit with these groups and give in to their demands, then we might as well close our eyes and stop enforcing the law.”
He said the fact the groups were raising this issue shows they had factored in overloading costs. He called it a decade old culture that can no longer be tolerated.
“They admit they’ve been operating that way for years, overloading to reduce costs,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
“Now they want us to negotiate with them. I told them forget it there will be no negotiations.”
Loke said that overloaded vehicles not only endanger other road users but also cause severe damage to public roads and highways costing taxpayers millions in repairs every year.
He said the government would continue firm enforcement and reject any attempts to weaken or delay the crackdown.
“They can issue all warnings they want but be it delayed projects, rising costs etc but my stance is the same, I want road users to be safe, that is the utmost importance for this government and is non-negotiable,” he added.
Recently industry groups complained that the stricter enforcement on heavy vehicles has increased transport costs as more trips are now required to move materials.
Loke said that despite that, public feedback has been largely supportive of the ministry’s move with many Malaysians demanding tougher action against overloaded lorries that pose a danger on highways and residential roads.
He said the ministry will not bow to pressure from the private sector and will continue to prioritise the safety and welfare of all road users.
