Latest news with #LandPublicTransportAct2010
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
'I don't know how I'll survive,' says taxi driver caught touting at KLIA
SEPANG: A taxi driver nabbed for touting at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) pleaded with the Road Transport Department (RTD) for compassion, citing financial hardship and stiff competition from e-hailing services. The 55-year-old man from Seri Kembangan said he was struggling to get passengers and often made less than RM100 a day. "It's hard to make a living outside these days as most users no longer flag down taxis. I can't even earn RM100 a day, and that makes it difficult to cover my daily expenses," he told enforcement officials following the RTD's Ops Ulat at KLIA. The taxi driver said he usually made two to three trips a day, earning between RM150 and RM300 depending on customer agreements, but had to pay RM60 daily for taxi rental. The operation was joined by Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan; RTD senior director of legal enforcement Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan; Selangor RTD director Azrin Borhan; and his deputy, Datuk Ahmad Kamarunzaman Mehat. The driver also said he had been arrested four times previously and had borrowed about RM12,000 to pay off summonses and retrieve his vehicle from RTD custody. "I returned to touting at KLIA because this is a lucrative spot where it's easy to get passengers. "I'm pleading with RTD not to seize vehicle because it's a rental taxi from a company. If they take it, I don't know how I'll survive," he said. Meanwhile, Muhammad Kifli said taxi drivers at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2 must use authorised apps to pick up passengers. Those who fail to do so and are caught will be considered touts. Kifli said offenders often used rented public vehicles, which further complicates matters. RTD will also apply for the forfeiture of any vehicle used in touting activities under Section 227 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (APAD 2010). "This forfeiture action is necessary to curb touting. If we only impose fines, they will pay whatever amount is ordered and return to their illegal activities," he said. From January to mid-June this year, RTD seized 10 public transport vehicles and handled 69 cases involving private cars used for touting.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- New Straits Times
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. Nation 5 hours ago Horrific Gerik crash exposes dark truth behind bus permit leasing Nation Jun 12, 2025 @ 3:45am Gerik tragedy: Bus operator may face legal action, says Loke Nation an hour ago Tourism bus control: Loke open to shared role Nation Jun 12, 2025 @ 3:58am Gerik crash: Brake failure claim under probe, says Loke
The Sun
13-06-2025
- The Sun
Gerik tragedy uncovers rampant illegal bus permit leasing nationwide
PETALING JAYA: The deadly crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives has shed light on a long-standing but largely ignored problem — the widespread leasing of express and tour bus permits, a practice that violates the Land Public Transport Act 2010. Zainal Abidin Mehat, chairman of the Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association of Malaysia (PPBBM), said that thousands of buses are operating illegally across the country under leased permits. ALSO READ: Gerik crash: Bus driver arrested, to be charged today This often involves former bus drivers who buy second-hand buses and run them under permits owned by other companies. 'There are even companies that own dozens or hundreds of permits and take advantage by leasing them out, whether for express or tour buses, at a rate of RM500 per month per permit, raking in tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he told Berita Harian. He said the practice has been going on for years, driven by the burdensome procedures and high costs required by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) or the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). 'I often receive complaints about this issue, but it remains unresolved because there is both supply and demand in the permit leasing market. 'The modus operandi involves bus operators purchasing second-hand buses over 10 years old for between RM70,000 and RM100,000, repainting them to appear new and attractive, and using them as tour or express buses. ALSO READ: Gerik Crash: Survivor still hears cries for help, lost two close friends 'To avoid dealing directly with APAD or MOTAC, they simply lease permits from companies offering such services, paying RM500 a month,' he said. 'Imagine a company with 100 permits earning RM500 per permit every month, they can easily make tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he added. Zainal warned that many of those involved are inexperienced former drivers more interested in profits than safety. 'They lack the proper knowledge to become legitimate operators and are only chasing fast money, with little concern for the safety of future passengers. 'If the fatal crash on the Gerik-Jeli road hadn't occurred, this issue might never have been exposed, even though in reality it involves thousands of buses across the country. 'They're also crafty, during APAD enforcement operations, these buses are kept off the road temporarily to avoid detection for operating under permits belonging to other companies. 'That's why sometimes you'll see one company name on the bus body and another on the permit,' he said. He called for stronger enforcement and welcomed government action against rogue operators. 'We welcome the move by the Transport Ministry to revoke the licences of bus companies found to have leased out their permits.' Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the bus company involved in the Gerik crash had committed two major violations: leasing its permit and failing to install and activate a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, as required by law.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- The Sun
Gerik tragedy uncovers rampant illegal bus permit leasing
PETALING JAYA: The deadly crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives has shed light on a long-standing but largely ignored problem — the widespread leasing of express and tour bus permits, a practice that violates the Land Public Transport Act 2010. Zainal Abidin Mehat, chairman of the Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association of Malaysia (PPBBM), said that thousands of buses are operating illegally across the country under leased permits. ALSO READ: Gerik crash: Bus driver arrested, to be charged today This often involves former bus drivers who buy second-hand buses and run them under permits owned by other companies. 'There are even companies that own dozens or hundreds of permits and take advantage by leasing them out, whether for express or tour buses, at a rate of RM500 per month per permit, raking in tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he told Berita Harian. He said the practice has been going on for years, driven by the burdensome procedures and high costs required by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) or the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). 'I often receive complaints about this issue, but it remains unresolved because there is both supply and demand in the permit leasing market. 'The modus operandi involves bus operators purchasing second-hand buses over 10 years old for between RM70,000 and RM100,000, repainting them to appear new and attractive, and using them as tour or express buses. ALSO READ: Gerik Crash: Survivor still hears cries for help, lost two close friends 'To avoid dealing directly with APAD or MOTAC, they simply lease permits from companies offering such services, paying RM500 a month,' he said. 'Imagine a company with 100 permits earning RM500 per permit every month, they can easily make tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he added. Zainal warned that many of those involved are inexperienced former drivers more interested in profits than safety. 'They lack the proper knowledge to become legitimate operators and are only chasing fast money, with little concern for the safety of future passengers. 'If the fatal crash on the Gerik-Jeli road hadn't occurred, this issue might never have been exposed, even though in reality it involves thousands of buses across the country. 'They're also crafty, during APAD enforcement operations, these buses are kept off the road temporarily to avoid detection for operating under permits belonging to other companies. ALSO READ: Gerik Crash: Shattered hope as families receive death certificates 'That's why sometimes you'll see one company name on the bus body and another on the permit,' he said. He called for stronger enforcement and welcomed government action against rogue operators. 'We welcome the move by the Transport Ministry to revoke the licences of bus companies found to have leased out their permits.' Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the bus company involved in the Gerik crash had committed two major violations: leasing its permit and failing to install and activate a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, as required by law.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Horrific Gerik crash exposes dark truth behind bus permit leasing
KOTA BARU: Thousands of express and tour buses are operating illegally nationwide using leased permits, a practice that contravenes the Land Public Transport Act 2010, the Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association of Malaysia (PPBBM) said. PPBBM chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said the issue of leasing public transport bus permits has been ongoing for some time. However, it only came to light following the recent fatal crash involving a tour bus carrying students from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) along the East–West Highway near Gerik, which claimed 15 lives. Zainal said some bus operators conduct business without any valid permit by purchasing second-hand buses and operating them under permits obtained from various other companies. This, he said, is because many bus operators, most of whom are former bus drivers, are unwilling to apply for permits due to the high upfront cost and the numerous procedures required by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) or the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). "There are even companies that own dozens or hundreds of permits and take advantage by leasing them out, whether for express or tour buses, at a rate of RM500 per month per permit, raking in tens of thousands of ringgit monthly," he said. Zainal said that the practice of leasing express and tour bus permits has been going on for years. "I often receive complaints about this issue, but it remains unresolved because there is both supply and demand in the permit leasing market. "The modus operandi involves bus operators purchasing second-hand buses over 10 years old for between RM70,000 and RM100,000, repainting them to appear new and attractive, and using them as tour or express buses. "To avoid dealing directly with APAD or MOTAC, they simply lease permits from companies offering such services, paying RM500 a month," he told Berita Harian. Zainal said that due to high demand, some bus companies that have more than 100 express or tour bus permits lease out nearly all of them. These companies retain only a few permits for their own use to avoid detection. "Imagine a company with 100 permits earning RM500 per permit every month, they can easily make tens of thousands of ringgit monthly," he said. Jega AFP, [13/6/2025 10:58 AM] He added that many of those leasing permits are former bus drivers who, after saving up some money, venture into bus operations. "They lack the proper knowledge to become legitimate operators and are only chasing fast money, with little concern for the safety of future passengers. "If the fatal crash on the Gerik-Jeli road hadn't occurred, this issue might never have been exposed, even though in reality it involves thousands of buses across the country. "They're also crafty, during APAD enforcement operations, these buses are kept off the road temporarily to avoid detection for operating under permits belonging to other companies. "That's why sometimes you'll see one company name on the bus body and another on the permit," he said. He urged the government to take firmer and more drastic action against bus operators using leased permits. "We welcome the move by the Transport Ministry to revoke the licences of bus companies found to have leased out their permits," he said. On Monday, fifteen undergraduate students were killed in an accident when the bus they were travelling in rear-ended a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) along the East–West Highway in Gerik. The bus then flipped onto its left side and came to rest against the metal guardrails. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said during a press conference on Wednesday that all permits held by the He said the company had committed two serious offences namely leasing its permits to third parties and failing to install and activate the Global Positioning System (GPS).
