KUALA LUMPUR — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has seized 28 lorries for carrying excessive loads during the first three days of its nationwide operation against overloading by commercial vehicles, uncovering several acts of sabotage and reckless behaviour in the process.
JPJ enforcement senior director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the operation, which began on October 14, recorded 10 lorry drivers detained on the first day, 15 on the second, and three on the third.
“Although the number of cases dropped on the third day, JPJ does not believe this reflects a comprehensive change in attitude among lorry operators and drivers,” he told reporters after inspecting an enforcement site in Kampung Kasar, Pasir Mas, today, quoted by Bernama.
He said vehicles found carrying loads exceeding 50% of the permitted limit were seized and handed over to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) for forfeiture proceedings.
However, enforcement officers also uncovered troubling patterns of misconduct among some drivers — including deliberate dumping of cargo by the roadside, switching off engines and GPS systems, and causing traffic disruptions — allegedly under company instruction.
“This kind of action not only disrupts traffic but also threatens the safety of other road users. JPJ will not compromise with such behaviour,” Kifli said.
He added that JPJ would submit reports to APAD recommending suspension or revocation of permits for operators who instruct their drivers to sabotage enforcement activities.
“For the drivers themselves, their Goods Driving Licences (GDL) can be suspended if they refuse to cooperate, dump their load, or attempt to flee inspection,” he warned.
Among the most serious incidents recorded was one in Negeri Sembilan, where a driver dumped a load of stones in the middle of the road, and two cases in Kuala Lumpur involving drivers who stopped their lorries and switched off their GPS systems, causing severe traffic congestion.
“Such drivers are irresponsible and rude. Their actions obstruct JPJ officers and endanger the safety of others. Their GDLs have been suspended,” he said. — October 20, 2025