‘Tonto’ threats won’t stop JPJ enforcement – Loke

Transport minister Anthony Loke has said again that the road transport department (JPJ) will not be deterred by threats from ‘tontos‘ (an abbreviation of tolong orang nak tipu orang, referring to those providing information about authorities to syndicates) in its nationwide crackdown on overloaded commercial vehicles, Bernama reports.

“There are indeed challenges posed by these tontos, but we cannot give in to such threats when enforcing the law, as this concerns road safety and human lives,” Loke said in reply to Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Roslan Hashim, who asked about overloading enforcement challenges and if the Kejara demerit points system is still in use.

The transport ministry has requested allocations from the finance ministry to equip enforcement officers with bodycams and firearms for their safety, and regarding Kejara, Loke said the system is still in place but will be reviewed to make it more effective and fair, especially for drivers who are pressured by operators to carry excess loads.

“Drivers are not the only ones fined. Companies involved in overloading offences may face vehicle ownership suspension, and operating licences can be revoked if violations are repeated,” he said.

The transport minister also revealed that based on preliminary police data, 163 fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles were recorded last year – 37% less than 2024’s 260 and 30% less than 2023’s 232.

Also, between October 14 and December 31 last year, action was taken against 3,604 overloaded vehicles – 1,731 of them with 7.5 tonnes or less, 1,193 between 7.5 and 32 tonnes and 680 in excess of 32 tonnes.