KUCHING: The Sarawak Lorries Transport Association (SLTA) will not compromise on rules and regulations imposed by the authorities that are seen to be unfair and not feasible to its members.
Its president Jong Foh Jit said on Saturday night that SLTA would make its voice heard as away to urge the authorities to come up with sound policies.
“We are actually helping the government to monitor the roles of government agencies such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Puspakom.
“Therefore, we will continue to speak out if the rules and regulations imposed by the authorities are unfair and not feasible,” he said when speaking during the 25th anniversary dinner of SLTA at the civic centrehere.
He pointed out that as lorry operators had to deal with 13 different agencies, the government should study thoroughly any new rule or regulation before introducing it.
He explained that several rules and regulations had indeed created difficulties and burdened lorry operators.
One of the recently imposed rules was the request of theCommercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) to lorry owners toadvertise the broad’s hotline number at the back of the vehicles, Jong said.
“We strongly object this policy of LPKP.
The policy is unnecessary and it is waste oftime and money,” he added.
He also appealed to the government to look into the shortage of lorry drivers in Malaysia as such shortage had caused a serious problem in the sector.
“We have received complaints from our members that they face difficulty in hiring lorry drivers.
We hope the government could review the driving licenceapplication in terms of the fee and the examination system,” he added.
Other issues that required the attention of the governmentincluded insurance, six-month usage permit from Puspakom and the maximum loading weight of lorries, Jong said.
“SLTA would continue to play an active role in assisting the government and continue to be the conduit between lorry operators and the authorities,” he added.
Deputy Works Minister DatukYong Khoon Seng, Housing an Urban Development Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, Pan-Malaysia Lorry Owners’ Association (PMLOA) president Er Sui See and thedinner’s main sponsor KKB Engineering Bhd grou managing director Datuk Kho Kak Beng were among those present at the gathering.
Yong, meanwhile, told membersof SLTA to work as a team and be united so that they could make the association strong.
“Unity is strength.
I believe with the support of all members,SLTA will be able to fight for the welfare of its members more effectively.
However, at the same time, SLTA should work togetherwith JPJ and the Transport Ministry to ensure problems faced by lorry operators could besolved through a win-win situation,” he stressed.
Yong’s text of speech was readby Dr Soon as he had to leave early to attend another function.
Yong praised SLTA for helping the state in its developmentparticularly in the construction industry.
He said more projectswere expected in theconstruction industry as the economy of the country had indicated signs of recovery.
“The construction and transportation sectors are interrelated.
I believe a stabile development of the two sectors would help the state to create more job opportunities.
Therefore, I hope SLTA can grabthis opportunity and play a crucial role in helping the statein its economic recovery,” he added.