KUCHING: MPP Chairman Cr Tan Kai has called for a comprehensive review of licensing procedures for heavy lorries transporting earth, stressing that the root of the problem lies with the issuance of such permits.
Tan Kai was responding to DAP ‘s Michael Kong complaints on damaged road where big lorries were ferrying earth using Jalan Kwong Thiong, a road within residential area.
He said that the Chairman of Commercial Vehicle Liscening board (LPKP), which is responsible for issuing lorry licenses has the authority to relook at the requirements for heavy vehicles allowed to transport earth.
He pointed out that while the Council is often the party receiving public complaints, the issue begins with the licensing authorities. “The problem started from those issuing the lorry licenses, and the end result is what the Council ends up dealing with,” Tan Kai added.
Tan Kai said the immediate steps taken by MPP was denying access to a developer who had carried out earthwork without obtaining the necessary road permit. “We have already informed the developer to reinstate and repair the damaged road,” he said.
He further urged both LPKP and JPJ to re-evaluate their standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to enforce the law accordingly if any licensed lorries are found not meeting the required conditions.
To solve this problem, Tan Kai said we will block the road, asked the developers to apply the road permit by indicating the travel route and to pay deposit with the council. That way, he added we will ask developer to repair the damaged roads and in case of failure to do so, we can use the deposit for road repair.
By Connie Chieng