Kuala Lumpur: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen has written to the Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook, appealing for fair and gradual enforcement of the permitted weight limits for tipper trucks and cement mixers in Sarawak.
In his letter, Chong raised concerns over the recent announcement of strict enforcement against overloaded vehicles, which he said could severely affect the livelihoods of those in the transport and construction industries.
Chong pointed out that the permitted weight (BDM) for such vehicles in Sarawak is significantly lower than that in West Malaysia.
“With the current BDM in Sarawak, the sand, gravels and earth permitted to be carried on tipper trucks are less than half the buckets of original specifications,” the letter stated.
The letter was sent and handed over by Chong, on behalf of Sarawak’s tipper truck and cement mixer owners and drivers, to Anthony Loke at Parliament yesterday.
He added that for decades, many operators have been forced to modify their vehicles to remain competitive, as the lower limits make it unviable to operate under the current conditions.
“Though such an act is against the existing regulations under the Road Transport Act, 1987, given the competition in the industry, the tipper truck owners had no choice but to brave the law and pay their way out to earn a living.
“As such, if strict enforcement of permitted weight and bucket measurements were carried out immediately, all tipper trucks in Sarawak will be compelled to stop operation,” Chong warned.
Citing similar challenges faced by cement mixer operators – whose trucks are designed to carry 10 cubic metres of cement but are limited to only 2.4 cubic metres under Sarawak’s BDM – Chong acknowledged that while enforcement is necessary to ensure safety and reduce corruption, it must be implemented progressively.
On behalf of the truck owners and drivers, Chong proposed three key measures to the Ministry of Transport:
- The Government increases the BDM for trucks and cement mixers in Sarawak before the strict enforcement of the permitted weight in Sarawak; the increase be at par with the BDM application in West Malaysia, or according to the safety specification of the individual vehicle.
- Time be given for the owners/drivers to restore the buckets of our trucks to the original specifications (a maximum of 3 months).
- The law be amended to also penalise the consignees of the cargoes of trucks found to carry loads exceeding the permitted weight. When the buying stops, the malpractice stops.
Chong said the community supports efforts to raise industry standards and road safety, but urged the government to provide leeway and clarity to ensure a smooth transition.
“While the owners and drivers would like to comply with the policy for the good of the industry, it is also their appeal that some leeway and time be given,” he said in the letter.
The appeal reflects the transport industry’s call for balanced enforcement and policy reform, as Sarawak operators await the Ministry’s response on the matter.
