Lee instructs JPJ to monitor all bus drivers for drug use

State Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin has instructed the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to stay vigilant in monitoring public bus drivers for drug use.

He said he has also instructed bus operators, through their association leaders, to be more aware and to take the necessary actions on bus drivers suspected to be on drugs.

“We are looking at this matter seriously, as personal safety and public lives are at stake,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He was asked to comment on a Bernama news report where two bus drivers from Sarawak were nabbed by JPJ and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) for testing positive for drugs during a nationwide ‘Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ operation conducted from April 1-6.

According to the report, the two drivers in Sarawak were among five nabbed for testing positive for drugs during the operation. Two other drivers were nabbed in Alor Setar, Kedah and another in Kota Bahru, Kelantan.

The five drivers were aged between their 30s and 60s.

A total of 163,558 vehicles were inspected during the week-long operations, which resulted in 1,495 of them being impounded.

JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Lokman Jamaan in the report also urged the public to report drivers for offences such as driving while texting, via the MyJPJ app.

In a separate Bernama report yesterday, Lokman said the drivers who tested positive for drugs will have their driving licence suspended by JPJ once further confirmation is obtained from AADK.

He also said 84 JPJ officers are on undercover duty on buses until April 20 to check for offences, with 62 offences recorded to date including for dangerous driving.