Latest news with #LokeSiewFook
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Don't develop new bus drivers' database in isolation, says transport consultant
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the database will include all categories of bus drivers to ensure only responsible individuals are entrusted with the safety of passengers. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The development of a centralised database to track bus drivers with records of reckless or irresponsible driving, announced by the transport ministry today, cannot function in isolation, says a transport consultant. Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, the founder of the transport think tank My Mobility Vision, praised the database as an important step in the right direction, especially in the wake of recent tragedies. However, he said, it should be integrated directly with the Kejara demerit and traffic summons systems so drivers with unresolved high-risk infractions are automatically blocked from renewing licences or being dispatched for jobs. 'The goal should be to prevent unsafe drivers from getting behind the wheel in the first place; not just penalise them after a tragedy occurs,' he said. Earlier today, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the database would include all categories of bus drivers to ensure only responsible individuals are entrusted with the safety of passengers. 'We aim to develop this database as a reference for bus operators and transport companies, particularly to identify drivers with prior offences,' New Straits Times reported him as saying. However, Wan Agyl urged the ministry to 'build on what already works', pointing out that some logistics industry sectors, particularly those dealing with hazardous materials, have deployed sophisticated digital compliance platforms. 'In some cases, they are already linked to enforcement data. Instead of developing a new system from scratch, we should explore how these tested tools can be expanded and adapted for broader national use covering buses, commercial fleets and other high-risk operators,' the former official of the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission said. Besides integration of Kejara and the traffic summons system with the new database, Wan Agyl proposed that the platform be co-developed through public-private collaboration. '(This will bring) together government agencies, enforcement bodies, and industry players who already have the tools, data, and infrastructure in place,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Name the leasers, don't point fingers, Loke tells bus group
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said his ministry requires evidence to act, and that permit leasing is a private arrangement between permit holders and third parties. (Bernama pic) SHAH ALAM : Transport minister Loke Siew Fook today hit back at a bus operators' association for blaming the ministry over the widespread illegal leasing of express and tour bus permits. He said the association should have reported the issue or disclosed to the authorities the list of operators involved in license leasing. 'We need evidence. The association should have helped us by giving us or publicising the list of companies (involved in such leasing),' he told reporters after attending the launch of the speed limiter device initiative for commercial vehicles today. His comments come after the Malaysian Bumiputera Bus Operators' Association (PPBBM) claimed that permit leasing had been ongoing for years, but only came under the spotlight after the accident that killed 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. PPBBM reportedly said that permit leasing could cost as little as RM500 a month. Lokes said it was unfair to point fingers at his ministry, given that permit leasing was a private arrangement between permit holders and third parties. 'I have no problem being the 'bad guy' – just give me the list and I'll suspend them immediately,' he said. On a separate matter, Loke said the transport ministry was considering a complete overhaul of the Kejara demerit system, calling it a 'failure'. 'A major overhaul is needed because merit marks are only deducted after summonses are paid. The problem is that many people do not pay their summonses,' he said. On the mandatory installation of dashboard cameras, Loke said the government must engage with industry players to ensure a balanced policy approach. 'We also need to consider, for example, bus fares to ensure that operators are able to meet all of the requirements. 'Everything will be discussed. Any additional steps, conditions or methods of implementation will need to be introduced in stages,' he said.
Daily Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Name the leasers, don't point fingers, Loke tells bus group
Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 By: Chia Wan Rou, FMT Text Size: Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said his ministry requires evidence to act, and that permit leasing is a private arrangement between permit holders and third parties. (Bernama pic) SHAH ALAM: Transport minister Loke Siew Fook today hit back at a bus operators' association for blaming the ministry over the widespread illegal leasing of express and tour bus permits. He said the association should have reported the issue or disclosed to the authorities the list of operators involved in license leasing. Advertisement 'We need evidence. The association should have helped us by giving us or publicising the list of companies (involved in such leasing),' he told reporters after attending the launch of the speed limiter device initiative for commercial vehicles today. His comments come after the Malaysian Bumiputera Bus Operators' Association (PPBBM) claimed that permit leasing had been ongoing for years, but only came under the spotlight after the accident that killed 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. PPBBM reportedly said that permit leasing could cost as little as RM500 a month. Lokes said it was unfair to point fingers at his ministry, given that permit leasing was a private arrangement between permit holders and third parties. 'I have no problem being the 'bad guy' – just give me the list and I'll suspend them immediately,' he said. On a separate matter, Loke said the transport ministry was considering a complete overhaul of the Kejara demerit system, calling it a 'failure'. 'A major overhaul is needed because merit marks are only deducted after summonses are paid. The problem is that many people do not pay their summonses,' he said. On the mandatory installation of dashboard cameras, Loke said the government must engage with industry players to ensure a balanced policy approach. 'We also need to consider, for example, bus fares to ensure that operators are able to meet all of the requirements. 'Everything will be discussed. Any additional steps, conditions or methods of implementation will need to be introduced in stages,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Speed limiter rule for heavy vehicles to kick in from October
Heavy vehicles and commercial buses will soon be required to install and maintain functioning speed limitation devices under a phased enforcement plan. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Tour buses, express buses, and heavy goods vehicles registered after 2015 must have certified speed limiter devices (SLDs) installed starting Oct 1, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said today. For older commercial vehicles registered before 2015, enforcement will begin on Jan 1, 2026, but only if the vehicle already has an SLD function in its electronic control unit. Vehicles without any SLD system, including goods vehicles of over 3,500kg and passenger vehicles carrying more than eight people and weighing over 5,000kg, must install one by July 1, 2026. 'Failure to comply may result in penalties, including licence revocation,' Loke told a press conference today. MORE TO COME
Free Malaysia Today
12-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
JPJ to probe owner of bus in Gerik crash, take legal action, says Loke
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said even though they were not the drivers, bus company owners are also liable. GERIK : The road transport department (JPJ) is opening an investigation paper to take legal action against the operator of the bus involved in the crash on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) last Monday, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said legal action could be taken against the bus company concerned for failing to operate according to the stipulated rules and regulations. 'There have been past cases where we brought bus operators to court. Even though they were not the drivers, as the owners of the bus company, they too held some responsibility. 'In this case, I think it is appropriate for JPJ to open an investigation paper and after that, it will be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action,' he said during a visit to the site of the tragedy here today. According to Loke, the bus company failed to comply with the mandatory components of the JPJ Inspection and Safety Audit (Jisa). He said the seven mandatory components of Jisa include the need for a safety supervisor in the company and the installation of GPS to monitor vehicle speed. 'The GPS was not activated. Also, the maximum eight-hour driving limit must be adhered to by the driver, but this was not monitored by the company. 'Another issue is the requirement for a 30-minute break after every four hours of driving for the driver, GPS installed in all vehicles, having an emergency action plan and company hotline. All of these components were not complied with,' he said.
