FROM left: Penolong Pegawai Tadbir Bahagian Perlesenan Nur Suhaila Shamsuddin, Pegawai Undang-undang Jacqueline Charlie, Pengarah LPKP Sarawak Cornelia Wong Chui, Pengerusi LPKP Sarawak Michael Kong, Pengarah JKR Sarawak Dr Cassidy Morris, Pegawai Turus Kepolisan Am ASP Mohamad Radzi Hatta, Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik, PDRM, Saifullah Ali, Ketua Seksyen Operasi, JPJ Sarawak, Faizul Azri Suhaili, Penolong Pengarah Kanan Bahagian Pematuhan.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) met up with the Director of JKR Sarawak, Dr Cassidy Morris, to discuss issues concerning lorry weight limits in the state.
The delegation included board members from LPKP Sarawak, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak, and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
LPKP Sarawak chairman Michael Kong said the board had introduced a new set of stringent policies effective 1 September 2025 to curb overloading and other offences.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant operators. Overloading not only damages our roads but also poses serious safety risks to all road users,” he said.
Kong acknowledged that the current limit of 38 tonnes was outdated and impractical, as it only allowed lorries to carry between 20 to 28 tonnes after deducting the vehicle’s own weight of 10 to 18 tonnes.
“According to JKR’s official specifications, Grade 1 roads can withstand heavier loads of up to 53 tonnes. Based on JKR’s Road Statistics for 2024, many of our roads, particularly those along the Pan-Borneo Highway, already fall under this category. We have therefore sought JKR’s consideration to revise the current permitted limits,” he explained.
He added that operators had assured LPKP that if the limits were revised, they would strictly comply with the new rules and accept the full force of the law, including heavy penalties or licence suspension, for repeated offences.
Kong said the meeting also discussed ways to simplify the application process for super heavy vehicles, which are capable of transporting up to 250 tonnes of equipment and materials for industries such as energy, oil and gas, and government construction projects.
“Since these deliveries ultimately benefit the state and the people, it is only reasonable for all parties to explore measures that will ease such essential movements,” he said
Kong expressed appreciation that JKR Sarawak was receptive to the suggestions and had committed to working together on the matter.
“Moving forward, LPKP Sarawak will continue to collaborate closely with JKR Sarawak and other stakeholders to support the commercial vehicle industry while ensuring road safety and contributing to Sarawak’s economic development,” he said.
By Connie Chieng