KUALA LUMPUR – Transport Minister Anthony Loke has made it clear that the responsibility to settle outstanding traffic fines lies squarely with the companies holding the operating permits for heavy vehicles, regardless of whether subcontractors were involved.
“A summon is a summon. The permit wasn’t granted to the driver. So, when the vehicle is fined, the owner of the vehicle and the permit holder has a responsibility,” Loke said during a media event at KL Sentral today, as quoted by The Star.
“To me, that is their internal issue on how they want to handle their drivers,” he added, stressing that the accountability remains with the permit holders.
Loke was responding to a statement issued by KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd (KDEBWM), which said its high number of unpaid summonses was largely due to subcontractors failing to notify the company of fines in a timely manner.
According to Loke, the Transport Ministry will now direct the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to step up enforcement against repeat offenders.
“Proactive action needs to be taken on companies or drivers with repeat offences. Audits will be conducted on the companies,” he said.
On Wednesday, Loke revealed a list of 11 logistics firms and 17 express bus operators with the highest number of unsettled summonses. KDEBWM topped the list with 22,017 unpaid fines issued by JPJ for various traffic violations.
In a statement, KDEBWM acknowledged its position as the registered owner of its fleet, even though most of the vehicles are operated by authorised subcontractors. It explained that the delay in settling the fines was due to a breakdown in communication with these subcontractors.
“According to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) procedures, if a summons is not settled within three months, a notice will be sent to the registered owner, in this case KDEBWM, with an additional two months given for resolution.
“Upon receiving the official notification, KDEBWM promptly took action by conducting internal checks and gradually resolving the summonses. To date, 13,000 summonses have successfully been settled,” it said.
The company added that the sheer scale of its operations across Selangor — involving over 1,500 vehicles — meant that even a small number of daily offences could accumulate rapidly.
“For example, two summonses per truck per day could amount to nearly 3,000 summonses in a month, and more than 9,000 in three months if hundreds of active vehicles are involved every day,” it noted.
KDEBWM said it will enhance internal monitoring and improve communication with its subcontractors, while reaffirming its commitment to road safety and compliance.
“We believe close cooperation between the industry and the enforcement body is key to safer, more efficient and sustainable operations,” it added.
The four other companies with the highest number of unpaid traffic fines were Mainiza Mantap Sdn Bhd (5,108), Advancecon Mantap Sdn Bhd (3,620), Cepat Ekspres Sdn Bhd (540), and New Hoover Express & Travels Sdn Bhd (512). – June 26, 2025