KUCHING: Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) Sarawak Chairman Michael Kong criticised the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for attempting to shift blame to his agency over damage caused by heavy lorries to Jalan Kwong Thiong, near Lotak Villas in Batu Kawah.
Responding to a statement by MPP Chairman Tan Kai, Kong described it as irresponsible and misleading for MPP to pin the issue on the issuance of commercial vehicle licences by LPKP Sarawak, instead of addressing its own enforcement shortcomings.
“LPKP Sarawak issues commercial vehicle licences based on strict policies and thorough vetting procedures. To suggest that we are at fault for granting licences to compliant operators is like blaming JPJ for renewing a driver’s licence when there’s no legal reason to reject it,” he said.
Kong clarified that the problem at Lotak Villas is not one of overloading, but rather heavy machinery using residential roads.
“In such cases, determining which roads are restricted for lorry access falls under the local councils, such as MPP. It is their duty to install appropriate road signs indicating weight limits. If lorries are found using roads they should not, MPP has the power to take enforcement action,” he said.
He added that only when these violations are recorded and acted upon by the council can enforcement agencies like JPJ Sarawak and LPKP Sarawak proceed with further action, such as blacklisting repeat offenders during licence renewals.
“This has already been communicated to MPP. On 15 May 2025, a coordination meeting was held between LPKP Sarawak, JPJ Sarawak, and all local councils including MPP. We clearly stated that enforcement by JPJ can only proceed after the necessary signage has been installed,” he noted.
Kong also said that over the past year, LPKP Sarawak has been working on tightening its regulations, including exploring legal avenues to suspend or deny licence renewals for habitual offenders. However, such actions must be based on prior enforcement at ground level by the local authorities.
“I urge all local councils, including MPP, to do their part by erecting signage, issuing compounds, and stopping unauthorised works. Once that is done, notify LPKP Sarawak so that we can take the necessary steps. Only with coordinated action can JPJ Sarawak and LPKP Sarawak enforce the law effectively,” he said.
By Connie Chieng