Latest news with #MalaysiaTruckingFederation
The Star
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Suspend drivers' vocational licences only for fatal accidents'
PETALING JAYA: The vocational licences of errant drivers involved in road accidents should only be suspended if there are fatalities, says the Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF). Its president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn noted that punitive measures will serve as a deterrent to prevent mishaps and help inculcate a sense of responsibility among road users. 'However, we are of the view that suspensions should only be enforced in cases where lives have been lost. 'While JPJ (Road Transport Department) may wish to impose penalties on these offenders, we appeal for these actions to be balanced with compassion. 'In fact, the number who engage in dangerous driving is relatively small compared to the majority of law-abiding drivers. 'Unfortunately, these errant drivers have tarnished the image of the industry with their reckless behaviour. 'In this respect, we support the idea that suspensions should only be lifted once the driver has demonstrated competency through defensive driving training,' Ng said in a statement. He was responding to the announcement by JPJ that it will suspend the vocational licences of commercial vehicle drivers involved in road accidents until investigations are completed. Ng said the issuance of driver cards accompanied by JPJ's inspections and safety audit system, known as Jisa, is a further positive step toward building a comprehensive driver database. 'With this system in place, traceable records of drivers, including accident history, drug and alcohol abuse as well as criminal records, will be readily accessible. 'This will serve as a preventive measure to ensure unscrupulous drivers are not allowed behind the wheel. 'We believe our practices such as managing drivers' hours of service, enforcing blackout periods from midnight to five in the morning and thorough route planning have helped us address driver fatigue. 'We will continue to encourage our members to adopt this safety culture and work to change the public perception of heavy vehicles,' said Ng. On July 6, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said that to ensure commercial vehicle drivers are competent, suspended individuals must pass a refresher course before their licences are reactivated or removed from the suspension list.
The Star
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Compliance is non-negotiable to prevent accidents'
PETALING JAYA: Despite stricter checks on heavy commercial vehicles at inspection centres, industry players are on board, saying compliance is non-negotiable and essential for better road safety and fair play. Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said there is no issue in complying with the requirements, especially tyre safety. 'Most new ones are already 16mm, which is well above the 1.6mm requirement by the government. 'Our members are alert as the matter was also circulated at least two weeks before the enforcement date,' he added. Effective June 1, a tyre will only pass inspection if the entire tyre surface has a tread depth of at least 1.6mm. The sideboards of dumper or tipper lorries, meanwhile, must not exceed either 762mm or 610mm, depending on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said the tyre regulations are fair. 'There is no excuse for buses to be on the road with bald tyres as fleet operators usually get good discounts from tyre suppliers. 'Operators may also have their own workshops for vehicle maintenance,' Mohamad Ashfar said. 'Here, they can visually spot if the tyre thread is thinning,' he added. He said bus operators also have to comply with legal regulations under the authorities' Industrial Code of Practice. 'There is a safety, health and environment section, where drivers are required to make a checklist of the tyres, lights and condition of the vehicle before they start the journey. 'The logs are kept at all times, so whenever there is an audit by the authorities, all this can be presented,' he said. MTF deputy president Ng Yoon Kin said strict enforcement is necessary to level the playing field in the logistics industry. He said some operators overload their vehicles to boost profits, but consistent enforcement makes it harder for them to bend the law. 'It prevents them from slipping through the cracks and ensures fair competition for all operators,' he said. Ng also raised concerns about operators who temporarily swap their sideboards to pass inspections. He said all operators are required to declare their cargo when applying for a permit, with some later swapping to different ones to carry more goods than permitted. 'Some switch to compliant sideboards just for inspection, then swap them later after to carry more goods,' he said. In December last year, an accident happened near Ayer Keroh, Melaka, with investigations revealing that the bus involved had collided with a detached lorry tyre in the middle lane. Seven people died while 33 others were injured. In March this year, five people, including a toddler and a young couple, were killed in a collision involving a lorry and three cars along the North-South Expressway. According to the police, the front tyre of the lorry burst, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the opposite lane.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Operators call for bus, trucking safety reforms
PETALING JAYA: Industry operators have called for comprehensive reforms to improve safety standards in the bus and trucking industry. Highlighting a gap in the vetting process of heavy vehicle drivers, Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said operators are unable to check if drivers have a criminal record. 'Usually, traffic offences of a potential hire can be easily checked via the police and Road Transport Department. 'However, we cannot check drivers for past drug use or criminal records. It's essential to conduct thorough background checks,' he said in an interview yesterday. Some companies that do not adhere to the industry code of practice might resort to reckless hiring practices due to a shortage of drivers, he added. 'If there are no good drivers available, it's better not to run the business. We must be accountable and practise civic consciousness,' Ng said. All drivers, he added, should go through defensive driving lessons and be capable of handling emergency situations, including brake failure, while on the road. 'Defensive driving lessons are essential but not cheap. Perhaps the government can assist. 'Imagine entrusting a half-million ringgit vehicle to an incompetent driver,' he added. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said its members practise a stringent hiring process. 'We require drivers to have a full E licence of more than five years, a Public Service Vehicle licence of at least three years, and practical bus driving experience of two years. 'The process includes background checks, interviews, test drives and health screenings. 'Only those who meet our rigorous standards are employed, and they initially work alongside senior drivers to learn the routes,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar has called for a comprehensive driver card system to track driver movements between companies and ensure that any malpractice is monitored. 'It's a proven method used with taxi drivers and could significantly improve safety standards,' he said. 'We have chartered, school, factory, institution and agencies, tour buses and more,' he said. He also called for more training given to aspiring drivers, especially those from the B40 group. 'We are short by 5,000 drivers annually, impacting the movement of goods and people, which can dampen the economy.' He noted that engagement with the Transport Ministry has seen 1,000 training spots offered for free. 'We are thankful for that, but we need more support. We hope the number of spots can be increased. This is crucial for economic stability,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar said operators need the authorities to collaborate on implementing solutions. 'With the introduction of a driver card system and increased training initiatives, the industry can expect a significant reduction in bus-related accidents,' he added.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Doubts over speed limiter reliability for heavy vehicles
PETALING JAYA: Industry stakeholders have voiced concerns over the reliability of speed limiters currently available in the market, amid the government's drafting of a mandatory speed limiter policy for heavy vehicles. Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali noted that there is no reliable speed limiter currently available on the market. Safety in mind: Mohamad Ashfar (left) and Ng. 'These devices can be manipulated. Some attempts have been made, but they did not function properly,' he said. He said the complexities of implementing speed limiters stem from the fact that buses and lorries in the country operate on three different types of engines. 'There are three types of engines: Euro 2, Euro 3 and Euro 5. Euro 2 engines use mechanical fuel pumps, which can be fitted with speed limiters, but these are not accurate and can be easily manipulated. 'Euro 3 and Euro 5 engines, on the other hand, use electronic fuel pumps and operate on a computer system, allowing manufacturers to programme their in-built speed limiters electronically,' he said, adding that older buses and lorries typically run on Euro 2 engines. Mohamad Ashfar pointed out that the inefficiency of installing speed limiters on Euro 2 buses and lorries, emphasising that 'it is a waste of money because they can be manipulated'. 'These older-engine vehicles will have to rely more on drivers' awareness for speed safety.' However, he reiterated support for initiatives aimed at improving road safety for all users, not just buses. 'We support anything that enhances road safety. Speed limiters already exist in newer buses, but we need more details about the limiters the ministry is proposing to implement. 'As stakeholders, we want to contribute our input,' he said. Mohamad Ashfar also backed the idea of banning heavy vehicles from the outer lanes, as 'roads are narrow, and vehicles are getting larger'. 'Highway authorities should consider the extra space required for safe driving,' he said. Reiterating his call for the government to provide free training for aspiring drivers, particularly within the B40 income group, he said such measures could address the driver shortage. 'There is a dire shortage of drivers – not just in Peninsular Malaysia, but also in Sabah and Sarawak. Many are deterred by the high costs of obtaining an E licence, which range from RM4,000 to RM5,000,' he said. He urged the Human Resources Ministry to provide training support for budding drivers. 'It's a skill that requires long-term investment, and the government should prioritise it to ensure the economy can efficiently transport people and goods,' he said. Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said speed limiters should be widely adopted in heavy vehicles as a vital measure to enhance road safety nationwide. He said speed limiters are calibrated by truck manufacturers to align with preferred speed limits, typically setting the maximum highway speed at 80kph. 'The manufacturer determines the setting, and during each service, they ensure it hasn't been tampered with. Once set, it cannot be easily altered,' he said. Ng noted that, despite earlier proposals for mandatory speed limiters, full implementation has yet to occur. He said over half of their members nationwide have equipped their entire fleets with speed limiters and are encouraging others to do the same. 'It's a relatively inexpensive, one-time installation that serves as a deterrent against excessive speeding,' Ng said.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Let us have access to e-vetting system'
Sharing his views: Wong speaking during the seminar in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: With accidents involving trucks continuing to make headlines in recent weeks, a logistics industry leader is urging the government to expand access to an e-vetting system that will allow employers to screen potential lorry drivers for criminal or drug-related offences. Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said that currently, only lorry drivers operating at ports are subject to e-vetting, leaving other sectors, such as companies transporting sand or stone, unable to properly vet their drivers before hiring them. 'They should consider expanding e-vetting for all lorry services and provide us access to the system so we can better screen for possible bad apples before hiring,' he said before an MTF seminar on current logistics industry challenges yesterday. He encouraged all MTF members and other industry players to consider conducting regular drug and urine tests on their drivers as a preventive measure. Meanwhile, Association of Logistics Entrepreneurs Malaysia president Puvaneaish Subramaniam highlighted the issue of substandard lorry spare parts in the market. She said the widespread availability of cheap, low-quality parts is compromising road safety, especially among smaller operators struggling to survive in a highly competitive, low-margin industry. 'These parts should not even be allowed into the country in the first place, which is why the government needs to crack down and regulate the market to protect competitiveness and overall road safety,' she said. Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said industry players need to integrate road safety into their occupational health and safety business management systems. 'Adopting long-trusted safety management systems such as ISO 39001 or ISO 45001 would help embed road safety responsibility across their entire value chain. 'This would not only increase road transport safety awareness among the implementing company and its stakeholders but also allow for consistent measurement of the company's road safety performance,' Wong said in his speech at the seminar.
