Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the department has “no immediate plans” to change laws on overloaded heavy vehicles.
No changes made
According to Loke, Malaysia’s existing laws sufficient to address the offence. Instead, the department will focus on keeping its enforcement “firm and consistent.”
The minister also added that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) has strengthened its punitive action matrix for operator offences. This action matrix allows APAD to suspend or revoke vehicle permits and operator licences, depending on the severity and frequency of the offence.
“Action against overloading covers drivers or vehicle owners, depending on the offence committed, as well as operators who breach licence conditions,” Loke said. “For licensed operators, the Land Public Transport Act allows conditions to be imposed so that the weight of goods vehicles does not exceed the maximum limit.”
Loke further explained that operators who breach the conditions of the act could be fined from MYR 1,000 (AUD $350) to MYR 500,000 (AUD $175,391), jailed for up to two years, or both. Vehicles involved in breaching the act could also be seized by the government.
“Forfeiture is subject to a court order under the same section,” he explained. “Administrative action on vehicle permits or operator licences can also be taken based on the offence and the company’s record of violations.”
A war on overloaded vehicles
In October 2025, Loke announced a special enforcement operation that ran from 14 October to 31 December 2025.
Under the operation, companies faced a fine for a first offence and could be taken to court in more serious cases. A second offence led to revocation of the offending vehicle’s permit, and a third led to revocation of the company’s operator licence.
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