JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 6 — A Johor lawmaker has urged the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to review its lorry capacity limits, arguing that the existing regulations are outdated and fail to reflect current technological advancements.
Jementah assemblyman Ng Kor Sim said JPJ’s ongoing crackdown on overloaded lorries has led to higher production and logistics costs, with oil refiners reporting an increase of at least 20 per cent in operating expenses.
The DAP lawmaker said the impact has also spread to other sectors, including construction, where tighter load limits have driven up transportation and operating costs.
“This in turn had also affected lorry drivers who are paid based on the weight of the load carried,” Ng said in a statement.
“This will definitely have a spillover effect on the wider economy. As production and logistics costs increase, the impact will be felt by consumers through higher prices of goods and services, thus adding to the pressure on the cost of living,” she added.
Ng said she supported the need for laws and regulations, particularly for safety, but stressed that the government must also recognise advances in vehicle design.
She argued that lorries today are built stronger, equipped with better safety systems, and capable of carrying heavier loads safely.
“Furthermore, studies have shown that most road accidents involved negligence by smaller vehicles or other road users,” she added.
She urged the JPJ and the government to review lorry loading standards in a way that considers the welfare of industry players and the middle- and low-income groups.
Ng also proposed introducing a cooling-off period or transitional arrangement to allow businesses and drivers to adapt to stricter enforcement.
She warned that tightening the rules too abruptly could harm livelihoods and further burden the public.
On Oct 27, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government would remain firm on the issue of overloaded lorries and would not bow to industry pressure over rising costs.
He said the crackdown on commercial vehicles carrying excessive loads, launched on Oct 14, will continue until Dec 31 despite complaints from industry groups about project delays and higher transport expenses.
