![[UPDATED] RTD launches crackdown on rogue lorry operators](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fphoto_2025-05-22_13-04-53_1747890346.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] RTD launches crackdown on rogue lorry operators
The department has begun recommending the suspension of operating licences for such companies, with offending lorries to have their permits revoked and potentially face ownership forfeiture.
RTD Enforcement Division senior director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said these measures were being taken under the provisions of the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
"To date, we have seized 135 vehicles under Section 80 of the Land Public Transport Act, involving cases in Selangor and Pahang. Of these, seven lorries have already been forfeited," he told reporters today at the Elmina RTD Enforcement Station.
Section 80 of the Land Public Transport Act grants the power to seize relevant vehicles for certain offences and obtain forfeiture orders on these vehicles.
Kifli said between 2019 and April this year, 513 companies have been recommended to have either their operating licences or vehicle permits suspended under the same Act.
"We also issued 28 warnings to these companies during this period.
"I also want to explain that in a bid to take stricter action against lorry drivers and their company owners who obstruct RTD personnel from conducting their duties during traffic checks, we will also open investigation papers under Section 234 of the same Act.
"Those who commit an offence under this Section can face a maximum fine of RM200,000 or a maximum two years' imprisonment or both upon conviction," he said.
Kifli also said they have initiated 17 investigation papers over commercial vehicles, including lorries which have been involved in accidents due to negligence or technical issues.
"Of these IPs opened, 11 are still under investigation, three are currently being prosecuted and one has successfully been convicted.
"Another IP is being reviewed by the deputy public prosecutor's office, while the remaining IP, involving a case in Rompin where a lorry crashed into a home, is awaiting a chemistry report as the driver was allegedly on drugs at the time," he said.
Kifli said that the decision to take tougher action against errant lorries using all available laws in place was made following a string of accidents involving heavy vehicles, including the accident at Teluk Intan on May 13 which claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit personnel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore catering couple fined over RM235,000 each after failing to pay staff more than RM1.4m
SINGAPORE, July 26 — A married couple who ran several catering businesses, including Royal Cuisine Group and Tingkat Singapore, have each been fined S$72,000 (RM237,283) for failing to pay salaries to over 100 employees in Singapore, The Straits Times reported. Wu Wenchun, 37, and Sim Ling Zhen, 31, pleaded guilty to 12 charges under the Employment Act. Each faces 66 weeks' jail if the fines are not paid. An additional 13 charges, including failure to report their change of residence, were taken into consideration during sentencing. According to Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the couple's companies — Royal Cuisine Group, Yanxi and Healthy Meals Catering — owed 103 employees a total of S$432,870.63 in unpaid salaries. Only S$73,420 has been recovered to date, The Straits Times said. Sim was listed as the director, while Wu was the general manager. They were actively involved in running various food service brands, including Angel Confinement Meals, Happy Mamapapa Catering, Vegetarian Buffet, and the now-defunct Yanxi restaurant in Chin Swee Road. Public complaints about the companies surfaced in 2022, when customers began reporting unfulfilled meal orders. MOM received its first formal complaint on July 20, 2022, from a Royal Cuisine employee about unpaid wages, The Straits Times reported. Investigations revealed that the businesses were initially supported by investor Low Ting Hui, who helped fund operations and payroll. However, Low withdrew financial support in October 2022 following disputes over the companies' direction and use of funds, said MOM senior prosecuting officer Justine Loh. 'Despite meeting cash-flow issues and knowing that there would be difficulty in paying salaries to the employees, Wu and Sim decided to continue operating the companies, continue the employment of the employees, and opening other new businesses,' said Loh in court, as quoted by The Straits Times. By December 2022, landlords had shut down the companies' premises due to unpaid rent. MOM said Wu and Sim failed to properly inform employees about the situation and left them without pay for up to three months. The couple were also uncooperative with authorities, skipping mediation sessions, missing appointments, and failing to provide updated residential addresses during investigations, The Straits Times reported. 'Despite being provided with ample time to make salary restitutions to the affected employees, Sim and Wu did not make appreciable efforts to do so,' MOM said. Most affected workers have since found new employment with assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) and the NTUC Employment and Employability Institute, according to The Straits Times. Under Singapore's Employment Act, employers who fail to pay salaries may face up to six months in jail, a fine of between S$3,000 and S$15,000, or both. Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Datuk councils sound alarm on rise of fake titles
KUALA LUMPUR: A man claiming to be a "Datuk Seri" is under scrutiny for possibly using a fake title to boost his public image. The Council of Federal Datuks (MDPM) and the Council of Datuk Dato' Malaysia (MDDM) held a joint press conference at Wisma MCA yesterday to sound the alarm over a rise in fake titles in the country. MDPM president Datuk Iskandar Abd Malik said his council recently received reports of a man suspected of falsely using a "Datuk Seri" title during public events. He was allegedly listed as an "honorary adviser" for a charity dinner. He was described on the event's poster as a "Datuk Seri" and a "royal adopted son". MDPM executive committee member Datuk Seri Michael Chong said in the first half of the year, his council had received six complaints on fake titles. "People have been duped into investing money after being misled by individuals flaunting false titles, only to realise the deception after suffering financial losses. "In one case, the losses amounted to RM400,000," the MCA veteran said. MDDM secretary-general Datuk Samson David Maman, who has served as an adviser for years, said he had never heard of a title like "royal adopted son" and believed it was fabricated to mislead the public. "Titles such as Datuk, Datuk Seri, Tan Sri or Tun are conferred on people who have made significant contributions to the nation or society. This is why such titles are respected and highly regarded." He said fraudsters often use fake titles or falsely claim royal ties to gain public trust and promote their investment schemes. In a related development, the alleged "Datuk Seri" has come forward and denied allegations of using a fake title. China Press reported that the man said the accusations had damaged his reputation and called on those responsible to issue a public apology. The man claimed he was conferred a title in 2015, but had kept a low profile over the past decade while quietly engaging in charity work. He claimed he began to use the title recently after finding success in his business. Chong responded today, saying that the council would not apologise. He said if this man believed the accusations were unfounded, he was welcome to submit official documentation on his title for verification.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Civil servants must avoid public rallies, says AG Mohd Dusuki
MACHANG: Civil servants must uphold discipline and avoid participating in public rallies to set a proper example, said Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar. He emphasised that involvement in such gatherings violates the civil service code of conduct, and department heads may take action against offenders. 'Such assemblies actually violate the code of conduct and discipline for civil servants. As public servants, we are supposed to set a good example, and I believe civil servants' involvement in these events does not serve any benefit,' Mohd Dusuki said after launching the Attorney-General's Chambers' Santuni MADANI programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pulai Chondong. The AGC has clarified that civil servants are bound by a directive from the Chief Secretary to the Government prohibiting participation in public assemblies. Mohd Dusuki also distributed RM3,000 in cash aid, a television set, batik cloths, and water bottles to over 1,000 villagers and students. Regarding the recent sentencing of motoring influencer Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin and his brother Tengku Abdul Aziz, Mohd Dusuki stated that the AGC would review the matter but refrained from further comment as it remains under court jurisdiction. - Bernama
