Latest news with #JohorTruckingAssociation
The Star
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Call for Jalan Seelong to get four-lane expansion
Wong says Jalan Seelong is currently a two-lane road connecting Johor Baru and Kulai, making it a busy road. THE recent road accident involving a factory bus ferrying foreign workers has highlighted a need for Jalan Seelong near Senai in Kulai, Johor to be upgraded. Senai assemblyman Wong Bor Yang said the stretch of Jalan Seelong, which is a state road, was no longer safe for road users and could not take the high volume of vehicles using it. 'Over the last few years, Kulai has seen many developments. 'This include high numbers of domestic and foreign investments coming into the district. 'Kulai and in particular Senai will surely gain more from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), but with more investments coming in, there must be an urgent need to upgrade roads such as Jalan Seelong,' he told StarMetro during a Johor Trucking Association's safety talk programme in Indahpura. Wong added that he recently attended a Kulai district development action committee (JTPD) meeting that discussed current and future development projects. 'However, I was told by a Kulai Public Works Department (JKR) official at the meeting that upgrading Jalan Seelong is not a priority right now. 'This is quite a disappointment as I have also mentioned the upgrade of Jalan Seelong many times at the Johor state assembly,' he said. Jalan Seelong is currently a two-lane road connecting Johor Baru and Kulai, which makes it a busy road. Senai Airport City, which is an industrial and commercial hub, is located along Jalan Seelong. There are also many housing areas and various other development projects nearby, he said. Wong felt that with buses and lorries, the two-lane road was inadequate to accommodate heavy traffic. 'During peak hours, traffic jams also can last up to an hour. 'I have received public complaints from those who have missed their flights due to this,' he said. Wong urged the state government to upgrade Jalan Seelong to a four-lane road to accommodate large traffic volume while making connectivity to nearby districts easier. On July 10, 22 foreign workers were injured after their factory bus swerved into a ditch and turned turtle. Kulai OCPD Asst Comm Tan Seng Lee had said the bus driver lost control of the vehicle when turning out of an intersection in the Jalan Perindustrian Senai 4 accident.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Strict GDL rules could hinder driver recruitment, says Johor Trucking Association
KULAI: Excessive rules and regulations imposed on Goods Driving Licence (GDL) holders may make it more difficult for logistic companies to recruit drivers, warns the Johor Trucking Association. Its president, Chai Pei Yoon, acknowledged the need for enhanced road safety following recent high-profile incidents involving heavy vehicles, particularly lorries, but argued that blaming lorry drivers entirely was unjust. "As employers, we have instructed our drivers to always follow road rules and not to speed. However, many accidents happen due to human error, and to put the blame solely on lorries is unfair. "In fact, the new rule by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to suspend the licence of a lorry driver involved in crashes before investigations are completed is unjustified," she added. Chai spoke to the media after attending the association's safety talk programme held at a cafe in Indahpura on Friday (July 11). She added that this new regulation could make it difficult for logistic companies to hire new drivers, and current drivers might seek other employment. "We urge the Transport Ministry to hold discussions or dialogues with stakeholders, including us, to find an amicable solution. The Johor Trucking Association hopes to discuss a win-win situation with the ministry to improve our industry further. Among the measures we are considering is a better training programme for drivers," she said. Meanwhile, the association secretary, C.K Tan, stated that suspending the licences of lorry drivers before any court ruling was unjust. "Court cases take a long time before any judgment is given, and suspending a driver's licence affects their livelihood since these drivers are paid based on trips. "Many drivers are now seeking other jobs because the rules have become too strict. If this continues, it will affect the supply chain as goods cannot be delivered due to a lack of drivers," he added. Tan also mentioned that the demand for lorry drivers in Johor is high due to numerous investments and sectors opening up, particularly within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Last Sunday, Bernama reported that JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli announced the suspension of commercial vehicle drivers' licences involved in crashes until investigations are completed. Should the holder of a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence or GDL be found guilty after a police investigation, their licences will be terminated. "To ensure commercial vehicle drivers are competent, the department will ensure that suspended individuals must undergo and pass a refresher course before their licences are reactivated or removed from the suspension list. "The refresher course will be organised by the department at locations to be determined later, and drivers will be charged fees to cover the cost of the course," he said.
