PUTRAJAYA, January 7 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke has announced the establishment of a task force to implement stricter regulations on heavy vehicle usage following a tragic December crash near Ayer Keroh that claimed seven lives. The accident, caused by a detached lorry tire, has intensified calls for better enforcement and accountability in Malaysia’s road safety system.
“The task force is not for studying; it is mandated to execute immediate measures,” Loke said, highlighting plans to introduce a High-Speed Weigh-in-Motion system to detect overloaded vehicles and propose legal amendments to hold both truck operators and consignees accountable for overloading violations. The minister also emphasized making road safety a key priority in 2025, aiming to reduce fatal accidents across the country.
The measures come in response to one of 2024’s deadliest accidents, which involved a five-vehicle collision that killed five family members. Loke’s proposed amendments include stiffer penalties for overloading and a broader distribution of liability, marking a significant shift in enforcement practices to curb Malaysia’s high rate of road fatalities.
