KUALA LUMPUR: Road transport activists are calling on the government to go beyond suspending operating licenses and instead take legal action against companies operating heavy vehicles responsible for serious road accidents.
The call for legal action comes in response to a September incident where a sand-laden lorry collided with 14 vehicles at KM5.7, Jalan Persiaran Utara, Putrajaya, killing two people.
Road safety activist and former Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) board member Shahrim Tamrin emphasised the need for companies or operators to face charges in court for negligence under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514).
He highlighted the lack of legal repercussions for transport operators despite their role in supervising and ensuring safety practices among drivers and vehicle roadworthiness.
Tamrin recalled the previous practice of immediate suspension for 14 days pending investigation, a measure employed by the now Land Public Transport Agency - APAD (formerly SPAD).
He also shared how enforcing the Industrial Code of Practice Safety Health and Environment (ICOP SHE) programme under SPAD had effectively reduced road crashes.
Tamrin wondered if the programme is still being enforced since many crashes involve commercial vehicles.
National Road Users Association acting president Fahami Ashrof Badaruddin echoed the sentiment, advocating for authorities to take cases to court and impose heavier penalties on company operators to address negligence leading to road accidents involving heavy vehicles.
He emphasised the importance of punitive action, including the possibility of jail time, to hold companies accountable for the loss of lives.
Badaruddin stressed the need for stringent examinations and fitness certification for vehicles and drivers involved in previous accidents before they could return to the road.
He called for strict criteria and strong reminders of the consequences of flouting the law.
In response to the Putrajaya incident, APAD suspended the operating license of C&L Minerals Sdn Bhd for 28 days, effective Nov 19.
The Transport Ministry stated that an investigation by APAD's Licensing Suspension and Revocation Committee revealed the company's non-compliance with legal license requirements.