THE Transport Ministry will introduce a new enforcement mechanism against overloaded heavy vehicles starting 1 July, by leveraging port infrastructure to carry out weight checks and restrict access to non-compliant vehicles.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this port-based approach will enhance current enforcement efforts, which are limited by the existing method of manually stopping lorries and escorting them to weigh stations.
“As a first phase, the new policy will be implemented at all federal ports across Peninsular Malaysia. This step is crucial to improving road safety,” he told reporters after launching the Car Carrier Truck Driver Training Programme for Electric Vehicle (EV) Handling in Port Klang on Thursday.
Loke said that the move follows discussions during the National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) meeting on 25 November 2024, where he informed industry players to prepare for tougher regulations regarding overloading.
Under the new system, import bookings that exceed the Gross Vehicle Combination Weight will be automatically rejected, preventing access to the port for cargo collection. For export activities, lorries will be weighed at port entry points and access denied if they are found to be overloaded.
“Further implementation details will be announced by the respective Port Authorities,” Loke added.
While acknowledging that the policy could result in slightly higher logistics costs, the minister emphasised that road safety must be prioritised.
“Many consignees or exporters try to maximise the load in a single container. That will no longer be allowed once the new rules are in place,” he said. “Road accidents involving heavy vehicles happen far too often, and overloading is a major factor. Even if some parties are unhappy, safety must come first.”
Loke also noted that a separate enforcement strategy is being prepared for vehicles operating in other industrial zones, such as those near timber mills. - April 24, 2025
