Motorists lie, cheat at roadblocks, says state RTD

BUKIT MERTAJAM – A highway roadblock to enforce the movement control order (MCO) near here today found motorists attempting a string of deceptions to dodge the travel restrictions put in place to check the spread of Covid-19.

Reporters who accompanied Penang Road Transport Department (RTD) director Adenan Md Isa to the roadblock at the Juru toll plaza along the North South Expressway saw for themselves how the people in vehicles continue to defy the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Some had the audacity to try to dupe authorities over their reason for inter-state travelling.

Among the culprits was an express bus driver, who apparently lied to the RTD officers that he was travelling southbound to Taiping.

However, he was found to be headed to Kuala Lumpur after two passengers in the bus admitted that they were going there. The driver was issued a fine for his transgression. 

This was one of the incidents recorded at the major operation undertaken by RTD and the police.

In another incident, a taxi driver with two passengers, both foreign workers, on the way to Taiping, was summoned when he failed to show a MySejahtera app scanner for patrons in his vehicle.

The roadblock was among several put up statewide involving some 180 RTD and police personnel. They held two shifts between 7am and 3pm, and 3pm to 11pm daily.

“Our main aim is to ensure that the motorists do not cross district and state borders without valid reasons, and also to make sure road users and those on public transport vehicles observe the SOPs. These include personal and commercial vehicles,” Adenan said.

Penang RTD has set up the roadblocks since January 16, leading to more than 500 summonses for offences that also include having expired road tax, invalid driving licences and unapproved modified vehicles.

Adenan said his officers would also ensure that passengers in commercial vehicles like express buses and taxis wear face masks, scan their MySejahtera apps, and maintain physical distancing at bus terminals and on the buses.

The state RTD also inspected buses at the Sungai Nibong and Penang Sentral terminals, and enforcement barricades along the federal routes at Valdor near Nibong Tebal and near Kepala Batas.

Adenan said the officers also conducted patrols along the federal routes and state roads to make sure that the users strictly followed the SOPs. – The Vibes, January 22, 2021