SHAH ALAM - Lorry drivers are raising concerns that they are trapped between two forces: the Road Transport Department (RTD), which has tightened enforcement on technical faults and overloading and employers who insist that drivers carry more than the permitted limits to reduce operating expenses.
Some drivers claimed their income has suffered due to these strict rules, while pressure from employers continued to grow.
A tipper lorry driver from Rawang, who only wanted to be identified as Rashid, 38, said he and his colleagues were routinely instructed to carry excess loads for company profit.
He said refusal was not an option because drivers may face salary cuts or suspension.
"If we don’t follow orders, we’re called lazy. Sometimes the load exceeds more than two tonnes from what it should be.
"But when RTD stops us, we’re the ones who get blamed while employers act like it’s not their problem," he told Sinar.
He said many drivers were now working in a constant state of pressure, forced to choose between following employer instructions and adhering to road regulations that were increasingly stringent.
For Haikal Ruaiha, 25 and his co-driver, Esma Ismail, 28, the situation was no surprise. They have heard similar stories from drivers in other companies and believed irresponsible employers must be scrutinised.
"In the future we need to emphasise to employers to follow the law.
"Before moving, we must ensure the load does not exceed the allowed limit," Haikal said.
Esma explained that three types of drivers which were tipper, bonded and cargo often attracted attention because they transported heavy or high-risk loads.
Other drivers said enforcement officers sometimes appeared to be fault-finding. Among them was Klang-based driver Siva Manivelu, 32, who said the burden of compound fees was overwhelming.
"We ask RTD to be more lenient if the offence is minor. The compound fees are burdensome and it’s not like we do it intentionally," he said.
However, Selangor Container Drivers Association representative Azrul Aziz believed that RTD was acting within its scope.
"So far, RTD's focus is only on technical offences and overloading. They also come to company depots for inspections and those who face action are usually repeat offenders," he said.
Former Perak Lorry and Bus Drivers Association chairman Abdullah Hashim said the deeper issue was the government’s failure to elevate driving as a recognised profession.
"The Human Resources Ministry must intervene immediately and recognise lorry and bus drivers as an official profession with a minimum wage structure and clear benefits like other sectors," he said.
He recalled working as a tanker lorry driver in 1995, during which Employees Provident, Social Security Organisation, travel allowances, public holidays and annual bonuses were standard. Today, he said, most drivers no longer enjoyed such protections.
Abdullah called for concrete measures to safeguard drivers, describing them as "the backbone of the nation’s transport economy."
"If we can uplift other sectors, why not lorry and bus drivers who transport the nation’s produce and essential goods every day?," he said.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has responded firmly, insisting there will be no compromise on enforcement against overloaded lorries, even if it costed him his political career.
He stressed that public safety must come first and criticised those attempting to pressure the ministry, including plans for a demonstration outside Parliament.
He also dismissed calls for leniency or a transitional period, saying the risks associated with overloading were directly linked to fatal accidents.