Loke tells bus associations to expose permit lease abusers, not just blame ministry
SHAH ALAM: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has urged bus associations to provide evidence of permit leasing abuses, in response to claims that thousands of express and tour buses are operating illegally in the country.
"The association should have helped us if they knew.
"They should have blacklisted the companies involved or named them publicly to help clean up the industry," said Loke during a briefing on Speed Limitation Devices (SLD) for heavy vehicles at Scania Malaysia's factory in Bukit Jelutong Industrial Park today.
He said the ministry is prepared to suspend and revoke the licences of those found leasing out their bus permits, provided associations inform the authorities of the culprits.
Loke said the association should not simply point fingers at the ministry, as it too has a responsibility to the public.
He clarified that since such leases are agreements between two parties, a permit owner and an operator, the authorities would have no knowledge of them without proper investigation.
Acknowledging criticism directed at the Transport Ministry, Loke said he takes responsibility and accepts all views on the matter. However, he stressed that criticism alone will not solve the problem.
"Blaming the Transport Ministry alone will not fix everything. Reckless driving is a problem that requires a collective effort, from society, drivers, and operators," he said.
He said the ministry would adopt a more targeted and technology-driven approach going forward, but warned that the issue will persist if attitudes do not change.
Earlier today, Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association of Malaysia (PPBBM) chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat revealed that thousands of express and tour buses nationwide are operating illegally using leased permits — a practice that contravenes the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
Abidin was reported as saying that the leasing of public transport bus permits had been an ongoing issue for some time.
Last Wednesday, Loke said the tour bus company involved in the fatal Gerik crash had committed a major violation by leasing its operating permit to a third party.
All permits held by the company have since been revoked with immediate effect, following multiple breaches of permit conditions, including failure to activate the vehicle's GPS tracking system.
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