By William Isau
SIBU, March 20: Four lorries overloaded with timber logs were stopped by the authorities at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman last night.
Sibu Road Transport Department (JPJ) head Mohamad Faizal David Jemat said the lorries was detained on suspicion of carrying a load exceeding the permitted limit.
“All the lorries in question were then directed to the Sibu JPJ premises to be weighed using a portable scale to determine the total weight of the cargo being carried. After being weighed, it was found that the percentage of overload was between 59.05–86.90 per cent of the allowed limit,” he said today.
Subsequently, the lorry drivers were issued with summonses for failing to comply with the conditions stipulated in the Carrier’s Licence under Section 19(1)(b)(vi) of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Act (ALPKP) 1987 and subject to a fine under Section 19(3) of the same act.
According to Mohamad Faizal, Section 19(3) carries a fine of not less than RM1,000 but not more than RM10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both upon conviction.
He said, JPJ will bring all the drivers to court to face charges.
“The department takes a serious view of lorries which carry loads that exceed the permitted limit and are dangerous because they not only endanger the safety of other road users but can also cause damage to the road,” he stressed.
He said, the operation to detect lorries carrying excessive and dangerous loads in this district will always be carried out from time to time.
Accordingly, he urged lorry operators to also jointly take responsibility by not carrying excessive loads in order to avoid damaging roads and to maintain the safety of other road users. — DayakDaily
