JPJ, APAD told to step up monitoring of repeat offenders, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) have been instructed to step up monitoring of repeat traffic offenders involving transport companies and commercial vehicle drivers.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this is following claims of delays by authorities in taking action against repeat traffic offenders.
"I have instructed JPJ and APAD to be more aggressive in their monitoring, particularly of repeat offenders, including companies or even drivers with multiple violations.
"Proactive action needs to be taken, including audits. Audits will be carried out at transport companies regardless of whether an incident has occurred,' he told a media conference after the My50 Pass Digitalisation Briefing and Launch at KL Sentral LRT Station here on Thursday (June 26)
On claims about lorry drivers concealing traffic summonses, resulting in a backlog of unpaid fines, Loke said that is an internal matter of the companies involved.
"Firstly, a summons is still a summons. I feel that they need to work out a method together with their drivers because the permit is issued to the company, not the driver. So, when a vehicle is summoned, the vehicle owner or permit holder bears the responsibility.
"So, to me, it is their internal affair, including how they deal with their drivers,' he said.
On Wednesday (June 25), the Transport Ministry revealed a list of 11 goods vehicle operators and 17 express bus companies with a high number of outstanding traffic summonses.
Meanwhile, asked if the My50 unlimited travel pass, which is currently used on rail and bus services operated by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, would be expanded to all public transport operators, Loke said they are in talks with Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL), the private operator of the KLIA Ekspres service, to offer monthly passes at a lower rate to users.
"So, this is what we are working on, it's just that I can't say the RM50 pass is for all types of transport modes. That will be very difficult to implement,' he said.
Regarding the lack of parking space and damage to vehicles at public transport station areas, Loke said the government encourages the public to use the Rapid On-Demand (ROD) service to get to LRT stations.
"The government cannot build park-and-ride facilities at every location. That's why we introduced ROD, the whole idea is that we want to encourage more people to use public transport,' he said. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Consumer group seeks clear guidelines on reporting reckless driving safely
David Chan KOTA KINABALU (June 28): The National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (Sabah Chapter) appreciates the recent remarks by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, encouraging the public to record and report incidents of reckless driving involving buses and lorries. This proactive call to public participation is commendable and timely, said chairman of the consumer group, David Chan. However, he said many responsible motorists have voiced valid concerns: 1. How can ordinary drivers safely take photos or record videos of dangerous bus or lorry drivers while driving without risking a traffic offence themselves? The public is uncertain whether such actions, even when done with good intentions, may violate traffic laws. 2. Use of Mobile Phones While Driving: It is well known that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) strictly prohibits the use of handphones while driving, and such usage may result in a summons or compound fine, as it poses serious risks to road safety. 3. Risk of Road Accidents: Attempting to photograph or record reckless drivers while in motion may distract motorists, potentially causing accidents or putting lives in danger, especially on highways or narrow roads. In light of the above, the National Consumer Foundation calls upon Loke and the Ministry of Transport to issue a clear guideline on: When and how the public can legally and safely capture footage of reckless commercial vehicle drivers; Whether dashcams and passenger-recorded videos are the recommended method for gathering such evidence; Whether such evidence will be officially accepted by JPJ and APAD for enforcement actions. 'We support the Transport Minister's call for public engagement in enhancing road safety. However, it must be done without compromising legal compliance or public safety. 'We urge the ministry to consider launching a nationwide awareness campaign, encouraging the use of safe recording tools such as dashcams and providing proper reporting channels such as a mobile app or online platform,' said Chan in a statement on Saturday. 'We believe consumer safety on Malaysian roads is a shared responsibility. While enforcement authorities must act firmly against rogue drivers and negligent transport operators, the public should be empowered — not penalized — for doing the right thing,' he added.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
RM4b needed to repair roads nationwide
BACHOK: Heavy rain and overloaded heavy vehicles are the two primary contributors to road damage nationwide, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said due to these factors, the Works Ministry requires RM4 billion annually to repair and upgrade roads across the country. However, the ministry has only received close to RM2 billion, given the government's overall fiscal constraints. "To repair and upgrade roads nationwide, we really need at least RM4 billion, but we have never been allocated, nor have we ever received, that amount. "What we usually get is somewhere around RM2 billion due to the government's financial limitations. "Nevertheless, we continue to hope and have high expectations for higher allocations every year, because some roads are ageing and their surfaces need to be resurfaced, but resources are scarce," he said at a press conference after launching the Umno Bachok division delegates' meeting here today. Ahmad also revealed that the ministry had previously proposed that revenue collected by the Road Transport Department (RTD), including road taxes and traffic fines, be channelled to the Works Ministry to help fund road maintenance. "This proposal has already been raised, but we have yet to receive any feedback. "If there are suggestions from other parties to consider increasing taxes on heavy vehicles, we will leave it to the Finance Ministry and the Transport Ministry to study," he said. The government has been urged to consider raising taxes on heavy vehicles such as lorries and trailers, which are often blamed for extensive road damage. Experts suggested that the additional revenue could be allocated for road repairs. University Putra Malaysia's Faculty of Engineering Road Safety Research Centre head, Professor Law Teik Hua, was previously quoted as saying that the proposed tax could help the Works Ministry offset the RM4 billion annual road maintenance cost.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Works Ministry only gets half the money needed for road repairs nationwide, says Ahmad Maslan
BACHOK: The Works Ministry requires RM4bil annually to repair damaged roads nationwide but has only received nearly RM2bil due to limitations faced by the government, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. The Deputy Works Minister also said rainy weather and overloaded heavy vehicles are the two main factors for damaged roads in the country. "My ministry always hopes that we will get more allocations each year to repair damaged roads as there are old and require resurfacing," he told reporters after officiating the Bachok Umno division delegates' meeting here on Saturday (June 28). He said that the ministry had previously suggested that any collection made by the Road Transport Department – including road tax and speeding summonses – be handed to the ministry to use for road repairs but the suggestion never received any feedback. "If there is any suggested additional taxes from heavy vehicles as mooted by certain parties, they should be handed to the Finance Ministry or the Transport Ministry," he said. – Bernama
