Kuching: DAP Sarawak has welcomed the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) Sarawak’s initiative to increase the permitted weight limit for lorries in the state, describing it as a long-overdue move that will benefit drivers, vehicle owners, and logistics operators.
In a statement, DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the party, together with Sarawak’s lorry associations, has been advocating for the weight limit increment since 2018, when Pakatan Harapan took over the federal government.
He said the proposed increase from 34 tonnes to 45 tonnes for five-axle lorries, and from 38 tonnes to 50 tonnes for six-axle lorries reflects the vehicles’ actual design capacity, which has already been recognised in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Technically, safety is not an issue as the lorries are designed for such tonnages and have long been permitted to carry these loads in West Malaysia,” Chong said.
According to him, the main obstacle to implementing the policy in Sarawak has been objections from the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, which cited concerns that certain rural bridges and housing estate roads were not built to handle the heavier loads.
However, Chong noted that most major roads in Sarawak including city roads, trunk roads, and the Pan Borneo Highway are designed for higher load capacities.
He added that maintaining the lower permitted weight had unfairly increased transportation costs and subjected lorry drivers to enforcement risks.
“The current limits make it almost impossible for drivers to operate profitably. Many are forced to choose between running overloaded and risking penalties, or staying idle with no income,” he said.
Chong lauded LPKP Sarawak chairman Michael Kong for securing JKR’s consent to proceed with the new policy, calling it “good news for lorry drivers, lorry owners, and logistics companies across the state.”
He also urged JKR and local councils to install clear road signs indicating weight limits on roads and rural bridges that cannot accommodate heavier lorries, to ensure proper enforcement and safety.
At the same time, Chong cautioned Kota Sentosa assemblyman, Wilfred Yap against issuing statements that could “sabotage or delay” the implementation of the new policy, stressing that opposing the initiative would harm the interests of Sarawak’s logistics industry and consumers alike.
“Wilfred Yap’s attack on Michael Kong is not merely an attack on one individual, but on all lorry drivers, lorry owners, logistics operators, and ultimately, the people of Sarawak,” he said.
