JPJ officers going undercover to monitor buses
KUCHING: Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers will go under cover, disguising themselves as passengers to monitor express buses during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
According to its acting state director Wong Teck Chang, this would ensure express bus companies obey the rules and follow the guidelines set by the department, especially during festive seasons.
Officers in disguise will also be assigned to take pictures during the operation, which is part of the department’s enforcement strategies.
Other enforcement strategies for the coming festivity by the department include patrolling the bus routes, setting up an operations control room and receiving public complaints.
There is a need for the department
For this year (2017) we are aiming for zero fatal road accident involving express buses during the festive seasons. We hope all express buses will follow the rules at all times.
to pay extra attention to express buses operating during the festive season in Sarawak as they are the main mode of transportation for long distance travel in the state.
Speaking at a press conference held at the state JPJ complex here yesterday, Wong said he was glad to reveal that they had yet to record any fatal road accidents involving express buses during festive seasons throughout the years.
“For this year ( 2017) we are aiming for zero fatal road accident involving express buses during festive seasons. We hope all express buses will follow the rules at all times,” he added.
Wong also revealed that the department would also inspect express buses at 11 bus depots throughout the state from Jan 16 to 20 and another inspection for drivers and express buses at three main express bus terminals in the state, namely Kuching, Sibu and Miri.
During the inspection, the officers will inspect brake and tyre conditions of express buses which had travelled more than four hours and clocked more than 300km.
“Express bus drivers will also have their urine tested to make sure they are drug-free. Drivers caught with drug will be fined and their licence confiscated,” he said.
All express buses travelling more than four hours and more than 300km must also have a spare driver, and each driver must not drive for more than four hours.
JPJ is set to launch a special operation during the coming Chinese New Year celebrations which involves 102 officers.
Relevant agencies such as the police narcotics, investigation and traffic departments, Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) and National Anti-Drugs Agency (ADDK) will assist in the operation.
JPJ acting head of enforcement Mohd Faizal Abdullah, enforcement section chief Maya Morshidi, enforcement officer Albert Clement and assistant enforcement chief Doset Ahok were also present at the press conference.
Wong Teck Chang, JPJ acting state director