PRESS RELEASE
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 APRIL 2001

PBS : Act against foreign drivers without GDL

Kuala Lumpur, Wed. - Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today told parliament that drivers of heavy vehicles in Sabah continued to consist mainly of foreigners despite previous assurances by the Road Transport Department (RTD) that the goods driving licences (GDL) would be given only to eligible Malaysians in Sabah.

Bandau member of parliament Dr Maximus Ongkili said contrary to the ruling by the RTD, most heavy vehicles in the state such as lorries and large trucks were still driven by foreigners some of whom might be illegal immigrants.

He was participating in the debate on the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2000 this afternoon, which among others provided for a licensed registrar to carry out all activities relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles and drivers.

"When the GDL requirement was enforced in Sabah last year, the government explained that it was partly intended to filter out foreign drivers especially illegal immigrants because the GDL would be given only to Malaysians who meet the necessary requirements.

"This ruling was supposed to help secure jobs for locals who possess the GDL. But the situation has not changed as foreign drivers especially Timorese immigrants still form the bulk of the heavy vehicle drivers. How did they get their GDL and how come the ruling has not been enforced?" he queried.

Ongkili who is also PBS deputy president cautioned against hasty privatisation of the registration and licensing arm of the JPJ, which he claimed was the real motive of the proposed amendments.

"Privatisation must improve the efficiency of services and must not lead to an increase in costs to consumers," he argued.

Citing the privatisation of vehicle testing and inspection to PUSPAKOM, Ongkili alleged the level of services had not improved and yet vehicle owners had to shoulder huge costs.

Urging the government to rectify persistent problems, Ongkili reported that the queues at PUSPAKOM continued to be long although vehicle owners made their bookings well in advance.

For too often computer or power breakdowns occur forcing outstation vehicles to wait for days causing inconvenience and business losses to consumers, he added