Kuala Lumpur: Six bus drivers tested positive for drugs in urine screening conducted during the Chinese New Year (CNY) Special Op across the country last night. Road Transport Department (JPJ) Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said they were among the 420 bus drivers who underwent the urine screening in the operation carried out in collaboration with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, bus operators need to ensure that all their drivers are free of all traffic offences, including drug usage, before they are allowed to drive. Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli stated this at a press conference following the CNY Special Op at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan. JPJ had inspected 6,605 buses at 54 depots and 28 main terminals across the country since the CNY Special Op was launched on January 20.

A total of 635 notices were issued on buses, with 410 summonses for various traffic offences, the most common being bald tyres. Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli pointed out that drivers often claimed they did not have time to check the condition of their bus tyres, but emphasized that bus operators should also be responsible for ensuring that the tyres are in good condition.

Meanwhile, AADK Enforcement and Security Director Azmi Mustafa noted that most drivers who failed the urine test were found to be positive for amphetamine-type drugs. He mentioned that many drivers cited reasons such as fatigue due to long working hours and the need for energy to continue working as their justification for drug use.