By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 10: Public roads and back lanes are not meant to serve as storage yards for containers or heavy commercial vehicles, Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak chairman Michael Kong stressed, as the board called for stronger cooperation with local councils to take firm action against errant operators.
Kong said the issue was highlighted following a recent incident involving a semi-trailer with a container that had been parked behind a row of shoplots at Lorong Kedandi 11 for several days, completely obstructing vehicular access.
“The parked container prevented vehicles from passing through the area, causing inconvenience and posing potential safety risks to road users and nearby residents. The container was eventually removed after numerous complaints from residents,” he said in a statement today.
However, Kong noted that the incident was not isolated as improper parking of heavy commercial vehicles along public roads and back lanes remains a recurring problem, not only in Kuching but across many parts of Sarawak.
“These practices obstruct traffic flow, restrict emergency access, and endanger public safety,” he said.
Kong emphasised that local councils must take decisive action by exercising their powers under Section 119(m) of the Local Authorities Ordinance, which empowers them to take necessary action to ensure the safety and convenience of the public on roads within their jurisdictions.
“The law is clear. Local councils have both the authority and the responsibility to act,” he said.
He revealed that on May 15, 2025, CVLB Sarawak had met with all local councils and explicitly raised the issue, stressing that it was unreasonable and impractical to rely solely on the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak for enforcement.
“This is especially so given that enforcement by JPJ within local council jurisdictions has been legally contested and successfully challenged in the past. Local councils cannot continue to abdicate their statutory duties by shifting responsibility elsewhere,” he said.
Kong said CVLB Sarawak has meanwhile taken concrete steps within its jurisdiction. Since Sept 1, 2025, the board has implemented a licence suspension and termination policy against non-compliant operators.
“We will not hesitate to issue warning letters, suspend licences, or take further enforcement action against errant operators who continue to flout the rules and place public safety at risk,” he said.
Reiterating his call, Kong stressed that enforcement must be proactive, coordinated and firm.
“Public roads are not storage yards for containers or heavy vehicles. I urge the respective local councils to step up, exercise their legal powers, and work in tandem with CVLB Sarawak and other enforcement agencies to put an end to this long-standing problem,” he said. — DayakDaily
