PUTRAJAYA, Jan 6 — The Transport Ministry will focus on efforts to address the issue of overloading of heavy vehicles, especially through legislative aspects this year, said its minister Anthony Loke.
He said his ministry will look into amending and improving laws such as the Road Transport Act 1987, Land Public Transport Act 2010, and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987.
This includes reviews to fix compound rates for overloading offences.
“This year, it is our focus to tackle the issue of overloading, which has been going on for years.
“I want to state here my desire and determination to, once and for all, tackle and resolve this issue of overloading. It needs a lot of integrated action,” he told a media conference after delivering a New Year message here today.
He said the ministry will review the logistics ecosystem, besides collaborating with port authorities to resolve the issue of overloaded vehicles.
“We are also studying the suitability of imposing liability on the consignee, who might be responsible in the ecosystem for the offence of overloading,” he said.
Meanwhile, Loke said the Transport Ministry will look at the legal framework to gazette regulations for pick-up vehicles to carry goods safely as long as they do not exceed the permitted weight limit.
“This is to ensure uniformity from the aspects of legislation and enforcement in the field,” he said.
Loke also said the ministry will review its policy on the registration and use of rebuilt vehicles to ensure only heavy vehicles with the best integrity, safety and quality are allowed on the road.
“For this, the Transport Ministry will collaborate with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry to comprehensively review this policy,” he said.
Based on Road Transport Department data, he said there are 145,836 rebuilt active vehicles and 38,000 inactive units nationwide.
— Bernama
