Don’t hire illegal drivers’

KUANTAN: Companies found hiring illegal foreign workers as drivers of buses, taxis and lorries may see their licences suspended between seven and 30 days.

Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) enforcement chief Datuk Paduka Che Hasni Che Ahmad gave the warning in light of accidents involving public transport vehicles.

“It is the responsibility of operators to ensure that they hire competent drivers.”

He was commenting on a fatal accident in Kampung Sungai Soi here on Sept 25 where a lorry collided with a Proton Iswara.

The car driver, Tuan Mohd Zulhaizee Tuan Temeran, 38, and his father, Awang Ariffin, 76, were killed.

The driver’s mother, Kelsom Hamat, 66, was warded at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital here.

Police are looking for the Indonesian lorry driver, who worked for a company in Ipoh.

Hasni was speaking at a joint operation between SPAD and the police to inspect lorries in Tanjung Lumpur and Inderapura here yesterday.

During the operation, which began early in the morning, 31 lorries were stopped for committing multiple offences, such as overloading and transporting materials not allowed by the permits.

Hasni said SPAD would continue to carry out enforcement operations nationwide.