PUCHONG: The Malaysia Tipper Lorry Operators’ Association has called on the government to update laws governing cargo weight limits.
Its chairman Datuk Michael Loo Leep Chye pointed out the current 10 to 12 tyre tipper trucks can carry more weight safely then the 24 tonnes and 30 tonnes permitted now.
“These trucks weigh around 11 and 13 tonnes without load which means if we follow the current laws our trucks can only legally carry about nine tonnes,” he told reporters at the Association Headquarters yesterday.
He said there was a need to update the current laws as most of their trucks are capable of carrying 30 tonnes (10 tyre trucks) and 45 tonnes (12 tyre trucks) safely.
He said many operators were at wits end because if they filled the lorry buckets to the brim, it would definitely be overloaded.
“There is an urgent need for us to sit down with the Transport Ministry and Works Ministry in order to find a win-win situation for all,” he said.
He said they have been engaging with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Works Ministry to increase the weight limit.
“We have been in talks since 2021 to find a solution but the Works Ministry dismissed our proposal to increase the weight limit based on the argument that Malaysian roads could not withstand loads over the permitted weight limit.
“The department also told us it does not have enough budget to repair roads damaged by overloaded tipper lorries,” he said.
Loo said they were not asking for preferential treatment but merely asking to be treated fairly.
He added the current permitted weight limit would drive up operating costs and this would inevitably cause a hike in fares.
