By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 9: A delegation from the Lorry Transport Service calls for the fair enforcement of permit regulations for the transportation of agricultural goods at Kuching Port.
The delegation recently met Minister for Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin at his office in Bangunan Baitulmakmur to discuss the challenges faced by its members in transporting agricultural goods at Kuching Port.
Among issues raised was the enforcement of special permits for transporting agricultural cargoes at the port.
According to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, lorries transporting agricultural cargoes must hold a special permit. Lorries without this permit are not allowed to carry agricultural items such as corn, soybeans, fertilisers, and others.
Additionally, the lorries must comply with the weight standards set by the authorities.
However, the Lorry Transport Service discovered that there are lorries without agricultural cargo permits that were allowed to transport agricultural goods at Kuching Port, which is unfair to the lorry drivers who do hold the permits.
In response, Lee suggested that Kuching Port Authority convene a briefing session involving all stakeholders concerned, including lorry operator, officers from JPJ, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, Ministry of Transport Sarawak, and agricultural product importers.
He said this is to ensure all parties understand the regulations regarding lorry permits and the procedures for accessing Kuching Port and enforcement measures that will be carried out
The delegation expressed gratitude for the minister’s acknowledgment of the issues raised and hoped that the issue would be resolved soon.
Also present at the meeting were the Ministry for Transport Permanent Secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng, Sarawak JPJ director Norizan Jili, Kuching Port Authority general manager Robert Lau, and Lorry Transport Service manager Lee Syan Khau. – DayakDaily
