Shaming Heavy Vehicle Companies Won’t Fix Road Safety - Industry Leaders

Heavy vehicle industry leaders say naming companies with unpaid summonses may prompt some to comply, but it’s far from a lasting solution to road safety, The Star has reported.

Responding to Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s revelation that 11 cargo firms owe over 1,000 traffic summonses, operators argue that real change requires stronger enforcement, education, and better driver accountability.

Alvin Choong, secretary-general of the Selangor and KL Lorry Owners Association, believes the minister’s move may push companies to act, especially since operators are legally responsible for their drivers’ actions.

“This is clearly outlined in the Land Public Transport Act. But summons shouldn’t be discounted, or it defeats the purpose,” he told The Star.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali pointed out that many violations, particularly among express bus drivers, are often beyond the control of operators.

“We train them, we advise them—but once they’re on the road, we have no control. And if we discipline them, they just move to another company,” he said.

To address this, Ashfar renewed calls for a proper driver card system that tracks misconduct across companies. He also urged the government to expand the 1,000 free E-class licence training slots, noting the industry faces a shortage of at least 5,000 drivers annually.

“These efforts—free training, a driver card system, and a central database—must go hand in hand,” Ashfar stated.

A truck driver, who declined to be named, added that laws mean little without consistent enforcement.

“You can make all the rules you want, but without boots on the ground, it won’t change much. Everyone—drivers, companies, and government—has to play their part,” he highlighted.

Datuk Wong Kean Ki, president of the Selangor and KL Trucking Association, agreed that unpaid summonses are a symptom, not the root issue.

“Reckless drivers often just ignore the fines. Naming and shaming doesn’t solve that,” he said.

Wong also noted the financial strain on operators. “We need to keep our trucks moving to earn and pay those summonses. If we stop, there’s no income—and no way to pay. In the end, nobody wins.”

Meanwhile, Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn believes the solution starts much earlier.

“Road safety starts in schools. Even truck drivers come through the same system,” he said. “We need to instill civic values and traffic awareness early—before bad habits form.”