Kampung kasar: A total of 28 lorries were seized by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) for carrying excessive load during the first three days of an operation against overloading by commercial vehicles, which began last Oct 14. JPJ Enforcement Senior Director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said 10 lorry drivers were detained for committing the offence on the first day, followed by 15 on the second day.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, on the third day, the number decreased to three cases, but JPJ does not think this decrease reflects a comprehensive change in attitude among lorry operators and drivers. Muhammad Kifli conveyed this sentiment to reporters after inspecting the operation in Kampung Kasar today. He highlighted that commercial vehicles caught carrying loads exceeding 50 percent of the permitted limit will be seized and handed over to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) for the forfeiture process.

During the operation, JPJ detected several acts of sabotage and irresponsible behavior by lorry drivers, allegedly carried out on the instructions of their company owner. These acts included illegally dumping their cargo by the roadside, switching off their engines and GPS systems while on the road, and causing traffic disruptions. Such actions not only impede the smooth flow of traffic but also threaten the safety of other road users. JPJ has made it clear that they will not compromise with such actions, and reports will be submitted to APAD to revoke or suspend the operator’s permit if they instruct drivers to dump their load or turn off their GPS.

Muhammad Kifli further stated that drivers’ GDL vocational licenses can be suspended if they refuse to cooperate, turn off their engines, dump their load, or try to escape inspection. He cited serious incidents including one in Negeri Sembilan, where a driver dumped a load of stones in the middle of the road, and two incidents in Kuala Lumpur where drivers stopped their lorries and switched off their GPS systems on the road, leading to severe traffic congestion. Such drivers are considered irresponsible and their actions not only obstruct the duties of JPJ officers but also endanger the safety of other road users. Consequently, their Goods Driving Licenses (GDL) have been suspended.