RTD to step up enforcement against ‘kereta sapu’

KUCHING: The Sarawak Road Transport Department (RTD) has been directed to step up its enforcement against the ‘kereta sapu’ operation throughout the state.

Minister of Transport Anthony Loke acknowledged that the kereta sapu was a menace to the legal transportation operation not only in Sarawak but nationwide.

“We are aware of the kereta sapu menace and I will ask the RTD to increase the enforcement nationwide to make sure that the issue is being tackled effectively and efficiently.

“The kereta sapu as you all know will just ‘sapu’ the passengers from anywhere and the only way to restrain their operation is through enforcement by RTD,” he told a press conference after presenting offer letter of approval to successful applicants of commercial vehicle licences here yesterday.

Loke stressed that the kereta sapu was different from e-hailing, saying the government had got a new direction for the latter.

He said a new regulation to monitor e-hailing had been gazetted, which would be enforced in July next year.

“The kereta sapu do not use the e-hailing application. They take their passengers from every place.

“There is no regulation for kereta sapu, and therefore we will tackle them through enforcement,” he said.

When told that the kereta sapu menace has gone regional where syndicates have been found operating from Kalimantan in Indonesia to Sarawak through Tebedu, he said the RTD has the power to enforce the law on whoever operates the activity.

He said against foreign operators, it might also require the involvement of other relevant agencies like the police and the Immigration Department.

On another matter, Loke called on the public in Sarawak to report any case related to “lesen terbang”, which refers to driving licences issued to those who did not take the required examination.

He explained that “lesen terbang” are driving licences that were bought from the runner, which involved JPJ officers in several states.

“Is there any “lesen terbang” in Sarawak? Let us know if there is any and we will ask the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission to arrest them.

“We will go all out to fight against the issuance of ‘lesen terbang’ as this is a serious offence because it involves the issuance of licences to those who are not qualified to obtain a driving licence.

“Imagine the danger these ‘lesen terbang’ holders pose to the other road users. They were never tested and are not competent drivers,” he said.

Loke believed that the issuance of ‘lesen terbang’ was a betrayal to the government and the people.

He said there is no compromise for any RTD officer found to be involved in this unlawful activity.