Desperate not to have his vehicle be seized by Road Transport Department (JPJ) officials, a lorry owner in Terengganu resorted to setting it ablaze as a result.
According to reports by Sin Chew Daily and Sinar Harian, the incident took place at around 1.30pm in front of SK Padang Air, Kuala Nerus yesterday (Oct 22).
Lorry torched to prevent confiscation
Terengganu JPJ director Mohd Zamri Samion said a patrol team had spotted the lorry which was suspected of multiple traffic violations and instructed the driver to pull over for inspection.
The inspection found that an underaged teenager was behind the wheel and that its road tax had expired more than two years ago.
Further checks also found that the lorry had not undergone any Puspakom inspection since 2023.
Just as the patrol team was about to confiscate the lorry, its owner arrived at the scene and refused to cooperate before proceeding to set it on fire in an attempt to obstruct enforcement action.
Multiple violations found
Mohd Zamri said preliminary investigations revealed that the company which owned the lorry had six outstanding traffic summonses, while the driver himself had four.
The offences include having an expired road tax, not having insurance, hiring a driver under the age of 17, and illegal vehicle modification.
He said JPJ will not compromise with any acts that violate the law or hinder enforcement operations, adding it not only undermines the rule of law but also pose serious risks to enforcement officers and road users.
“JPJ will take stern action under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) and other relevant laws against anyone found guilty of breaking the law or obstructing public officials in their duties.
“The case has been referred to the police and will also be submitted to the Department of Labour for further action.”
READ ALSO:
