KL JPJ SEIZES FIVE OVERLOADED COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN OPERATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (KL JPJ) seized five overloaded commercial vehicles from midnight to 9 am yesterday around the capital.

KL JPJ director Hamidi Adam said the seizure involved various offences, including a tipper dumper truck carrying an overload of up to 88.07 per cent, a trailer violating permit conditions, and several drivers found driving without valid competent driving licences (CDL) and vocational driving licences (VDL), including a foreign driver.

"All of these vehicles were seized under the provisions of Section 80 of the Land Public Transport Act (APAD) 2010 and Section 64 of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said in a statement today.

Hamidi said the latest phase of the operation is a continuation of ‘Op Perang Lebih Muatan’ since October and focuses specifically on routes and commercial vehicles identified through current intelligence, involving the quarry sector, routes to ports and heavy industry.

He said that to date, a total of 5,967 commercial vehicles have been inspected, with 939 of them found to be in violation of the law, involving 2,398 summonses for various offences, including overloading, technical violations, expired licences and insurance, and driving without a valid CDL or VDL

Hamidi said a total of 14 vehicles were also seized and the offences involved both local and foreign drivers.

"These latest statistics show that the trend of non-compliance is still at an alarming level, thus confirming the need for the KL JPJ to continue its operations consistently to eradicate the culture of overloading," he said.

He also reminded that the culture of "chasing trips" is not an excuse to neglect safety, and there is no operational justification that can legitimise overloading or breaking the law to the point of endangering the lives of road users.

Hamidi said there were a few drivers who tried to avoid inspection by citing damage or refusing to weigh their vehicles, and such actions could be investigated under APAD Act 234(b) 2010, which carries a fine of up to RM200,000 or a maximum prison sentence of two years.

In addition to 'Op Perang Lebih Muatan', Hamidi said they are also continuing 'Op Luxury', which targets compliance with Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM), insurance, driving licences, and technical aspects involving luxury vehicles.

"This week, several luxury vehicles such as a Lamborghini Aventador and a Porsche 911 were also seized for various offences," he also said.

He added that a total of 92 luxury vehicles have been seized since 'Op Luxury' was implemented in July until yesterday, while 401 offences were detected involving 177 cases of expired road tax, no insurance (160 cases), no CDL (45 cases), registration numbers (10 cases) and the remaining other cases.

-- BERNAMA