A Johor assemblyman has urged the road transport department (JPJ) to review its crackdown on overloaded lorries, citing its impact on oil millers and the possible effect of this on consumers.
DAP’s Ng Kor Sim said since the crackdown began, oil millers had seen their operating costs rise by at least 20%.
She said the same applied to other sectors, including construction where stricter load limits had translated into higher transportation and operational expenses.
In a statement, Ng said the policy would “inevitably have a trickle-down effect on the broader economy”.
“When the cost of production and logistics goes up, the impact will be felt by consumers through higher prices of goods and services, adding further strain to the cost of living,” the Jementah assemblyman said.
She said the enforcement also affected lorry drivers, who are paid based on the weight they carry.
With loading limits now strictly enforced, she said, the majority of these drivers who came from the B40 group had seen significant reductions in income.
She said any sudden reduction in earnings would place tremendous pressure on their families.
Expressing her commitment to upholding laws and regulations, especially in terms of safety, she nonetheless said that such regulations were outdated and might not reflect current technological advancements.
“Today, lorries are built stronger, equipped with better safety systems, and capable of carrying heavier loads more safely. Furthermore, studies have shown that most road accidents involve negligence by smaller vehicles or other road users,” she said.
Ng urged JPJ and the government to relook the policy on tighter enforcement to take into account the well-being of both industry players and those in the medium and lower-income groups.
She said a review of existing laws and regulations to reflect current realities and technological progress would be a welcome step, while a grace period or transitional arrangement could also be considered to allow businesses and drivers time to adapt.
“Any decision to tighten enforcement on overloaded lorries must be made carefully and after considering all aspects, given its wide-ranging impact on both the industry and the livelihoods of ordinary Malaysians,” she said.
JPJ’s “war” against overloaded commercial vehicles was launched on Oct 14 and is slated to run until Dec 31.
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the operation marked a firm enforcement move to curb complacency and non-compliance among commercial vehicle operators and drivers who overload their vehicles and flout road transport laws.
