RTD’s Ops Mammoth done discreetly to put a halt on overloaded lorries

KUANTAN - A Road Transport Department's (RTD) operation codenamed Ops Mammoth on lorries carrying excessive loads was executed discreetly on Thursday.

RTD Enforcement Division senior director Datuk Lokman Jamaan said that one of the challenges during the operation was that the truck owners used tonto’s services.

"The movements of RTD enforcement officers and members are constantly monitored by tonto which makes it difficult for us to carry out operations.

"We need to carry out intelligence and operation discreetly cover to ensure the success of Ops Mammoth," he told Sinar Harian on Thursday.

Lokman said the operation was carried out following complaints from the public and information from the Public Works Department (PWD) on lorries carrying excessive loads around Gebeng industrial area.

"We received information related to the allegation that the road in this area is damaged, suspected to be caused by heavy lorries carrying loads exceeding the set limit which poses danger to road users.

"Trucks carrying excessive loads can also cause the brake system of the heavy vehicle to malfunction, damaged and cause accidents," he said.

He said a total of 14 lorries were detained in Ops Mammoth which was carried out for 10 hours starting at 6.30am.

"The main offence detected is carrying loads that exceed the permitted weight limit under the Weight Restriction Order (Federal Roads) 2018 which is between 60 to 130 per cent of excess weight.

"The types of loads carried are coal, rock dust and quarry waste.

"The heavy vehicles had been confiscated and taken to Paya Rambutan Enforcement Station here for further investigation," he said.

Lokman said a total of 64 notices were issued involving various offences including excessive load and no insurance.

"We also detected drivers whose Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM) had expired, no competent driving license (CDL), no commercial vehicle license (GDL) and other technical offences," he said.

He said that the operation was also carried out in collaboration with Pahang RTD.

"The enforcement action was carried out in accordance with the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Land Public Transport Act 2010," he said.

Lokman said the authority hoped that industrial operators and truck drivers would always comply with the road regulations.

"We will not compromise on road safety aspects involving heavy vehicles," Lokman said.