Action on 15 errant express, tour buses
Published on: Sunday, August 04, 2024
By: Jeremy S Zabala
Harris (right) inspecting a tourist bus driver’s licence during the operation.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Road Transport Department (JPJ) took action on 15 vehicles here from July 22 to 30.
Its Director Mohd Harris Ali said the operation – dubbed Integrated Special Operation of Tourism and Public Service Vehicles (Express Buses & Tour Buses) – was carried out for nine days to ensure vehicles, particularly involved in tourism industry adhere to road regulations.
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“Some 709 vehicles were inspected throughout the operation involving 73 public transport buses, 209 express buses and 427 tour buses. Following thorough inspections, action was taken on three express busses and 12 tour busses.
“The department issued 24 notices with four on express buses and 20 on tour buses involving compounds, inspection notices as well as other notices including technical fault such as lights, tyres, registration numbers and mirrors.
“Despite issuance of notices, the buses involved had valid driving licences,” he said in a statement after carrying out the operation along Jalan Coastal, here, Tuesday.
Haris said the department would continue enforcement activities to ensure road users adhere to the rules and regulation under the Road Transport Act 1987, Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334) and Road Transport Rules.
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He urged Sabahans to use the MyJPJ application as a platform for submitting complaints against road users who violate road regulations while at the same time application can also be used for renewal of driving and vehicle licences.
Other departments and agencies such as Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), KK police’s Investigation and Traffic Enforcement Division as well as the Department of Environment (DOE) took part in the integrated operation.
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Meanwhile, Motac Department Director Ibrahim Othman said continuous inspections had been carried out not only to ensure tourism industry players comply with the existing laws but also to guarantee safety of tourists.
For this year, he said the department inspected some 400 vehicles of the industry in which 17 investigation papers were issued for violation against the Tourism Industry Act 1992 and Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999.
“We are currently in the prosecution process against several companies in violation of the rules and at the same time action will be taken against those involved.
“The common mistakes that are identified usually involve invalid permits or expired permits as well as tourism operators employing unlicensed tour guides,” he added.
He also said the numbers of action taken were the same for inspections carried out between Jan and July last year.
“We hope during the same period this year the situation would not worsen but improve throughout the rest of the year,” he said.
Ibrahim urged those in the industry continue to play their role by complying with existing acts not just to maintain but to uplift the image which would further promote Sabah’s integrity in the tourism sector.
“This will give tourists the confidence to visit the State.”
In the operation, Motac Department deployed eight personnel led by Wasinin Duari, AADK officer Asraf Hafiz Ruslan led his team of six personnel while inspections were carried out by seven personnel from DOE led by Mohd Ahmadi Dayukan.
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