Tonto Threats Will Not Hinder JPJ Action On Overloaded Vehicles - Loke

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The government will not be deterred by ‘tontos’, informants who provide tip-offs in an attempt to sabotage the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) enforcement operations against overloaded heavy vehicles, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the challenges have prompted the Ministry of Transport to request allocations from the Ministry of Finance to equip enforcement officers with body-worn cameras and firearms to ensure their safety.

“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,” he said when replying to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) on enforcement challenges in overloading cases, and whether the current demerit points system is still in use.

Loke said the system remains in place but will be reviewed to ensure it is more effective and fair, particularly for drivers who are pressured by operators to carry excess loads.

He stressed that enforcement is no longer focused solely on drivers, but also targets companies and operators who breach regulations.

“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.

Replying to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH–Rasah), Loke said action was taken against 3,604 heavy vehicles for breaching permitted load limits between Oct 14 and Dec 31 last year.

He said the overloading cases covered several categories, including vehicles with serious overloads exceeding 70 per cent, which can compromise road safety, vehicle stability, braking performance and infrastructure durability.

“Preliminary data from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) shows 232 fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles in 2023, rising to 260 in 2024, before declining to 163 in 2025.

“These figures include accidents involving lorries, trailers and heavy goods vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicle was the primary cause or merely involved in the incident,” he said.

Loke added that the decline provides an early indication that strengthened enforcement measures on heavy vehicle safety compliance, including load control, have helped reduce the risk of fatal accidents on Malaysian roads.

-- BERNAMA