Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Road Transport Department (JPJ) has launched a more aggressive and targeted crackdown on overloaded commercial vehicles following a sharp rise in offences, with cases nearly tripling from 1,180 in 2024 to 3,350 last year.
JPJ Enforcement Chief Misnan Tamimi said the nationwide “Overloading Operation” began on May 16, with the Telipok Enforcement Station chosen as one of the locations due to it being a major route frequently used by heavy vehicles, commercial transporters and private vehicles.
“The operation will inspect and weigh commercial transport vehicles, including sand trucks, stone carriers, cargo trucks and other permitted heavy vehicles,” he told reporters, Wednesday.
“This is to ensure compliance with the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987, while also improving traffic flow, strengthening adherence to traffic regulations and helping reduce road accidents and fatalities,” he said.
A total of 1,530 vehicles were inspected Statewide from May 16 to 20.
Enforcement action was taken against 259 goods service vehicles, with 108 cases involving overloading, while 374 other vehicles were found committing other offences.
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From January to April this year, JPJ inspected a total of 204,503 vehicles statewide, with the main offences identified being expired road tax (LKM), expired or no driving licence (LMM) and lack of insurance coverage. During the period, enforcement action was taken against 18,688 private vehicles, 5,256 goods service vehicles and 573 public service vehicles.
Misnan also reminded all vehicle owners — not only luxury car owners but also private vehicle users, public service vehicles and commercial transport operators — to renew their road tax and insurance policies on time.
“The licence lasts for one year, and many people forget the expiry date,” he said.
He encouraged the public to utilise the MyJPJ mobile application, which allows users to check the expiry dates of their driving licences and road tax.
Users can also renew their licences and road tax directly through the app without needing to queue at the JPJ counters.
JPJ Sabah will continue its enforcement activities to ensure all road users comply with road laws and regulations.
Beyond enforcement efforts, the department is also carrying out road safety advocacy initiatives under the “Drive Safely, Arrive Safely” (“Pandu Cermat, Sampai Selamat”) campaign.
The initiatives include more than 50 programmes such as exhibitions, awareness talks, distribution of road safety kits and campaigns conducted in collaboration with the Sabah State Road Safety Council (MKJR) and other strategic partners.
