ISKANDAR PUTERI, The Johor government will step in to help resolve several issues raised by lorry operators and drivers in this state with regard to the recent enforcement operations carried out by the authorities.
However, State Works, Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said this would require a series of meetings with all parties involved to ensure a win-win solution.
“It is a (now) national issue, it is just that this association (Johor Commercial Vehicles Owners and Operators Association) has taken the initiative to meet state administrations to voice out their concerns and hopes.
“This issue also involves the people of Johor, so will assist. But we need several discussions before it is handed over to the relevant agencies,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after receiving a memorandum submitted by Johor-based operators and lorry drivers led by the pro-tem chairman of the Johor Commercial Vehicles Owners and Operators Association, Md Shari Md Saat.
Mohamad Fazli said the enforcement issues raised by them include concerns related to load weight, weight without cargo and summonses, which he added mostly affected small-scale operators and lorry drivers rather than large logistics companies.
“We need time to look into the proposals of this memorandum. I do not want to be merely the ‘postman’ in this matter, instead, we have to look at improvements. I believe we will eventually find the best solution.
“Alhamdulillah, there has been no strike from lorry operators and drivers in Johor. In Johor, we have the Johor way of doing things, and that is through discussions and cordial meetings. There is no need to protest or demonstrate,” he said.
Earlier, the peaceful protest held at Kota Iskandar was attended by hundreds or lorry operators and drivers affected by these issues.
Recently, there were protests by thousands of lorry drivers in several states, along with the handing over of memorandums to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) over integrated operations which they claimed caused them to lose their sources of income.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
