Kuala lumpur: The level of compliance with the installation of speed limitation devices (SLD) by commercial vehicles remains significantly low ahead of its enforcement on October 1, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook reported. Of the 108,805 vehicles required to verify installation in the initial phase, only 2,915, or 2.68 percent, had been verified by September 23.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 105,890 vehicles, or 97.32 percent, have yet to comply with the directive. Minister Loke indicated that some vehicle owners might be underestimating the seriousness of the Transport Ministry's intentions. He emphasized that there would be no leniency following the enforcement date.

Minister Loke stated that vehicle owners failing to adhere to the ruling would receive Notice 114 (Notice of Summons for Investigation). If a vehicle inspection reveals the absence of an SLD, the owner would receive this notice, which requires them to appear at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) within 10 days to provide proof of verification. This notice serves as a directive to demonstrate compliance rather than a direct summons.

Currently, verification through Puspakom has not been made mandatory due to concerns that numerous heavy vehicles would not pass inspection if implemented at this stage. The enforcement of SLD installation will commence on October 1 and applies to motor vehicles manufactured after January 1, 2015. This includes sightseeing and express buses exceeding a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 5,000 kilograms, as well as goods vehicles with a GVW over 3,500 kilograms.

All SLD installations, configurations, and activations must be verified by a JPJ-recognized entity through the issuance of a Verification Slip and an SLD Functionality Report. Verification needs to be renewed biennially to ensure continued functionality.

This policy was introduced following a tragic incident in Gerik, where a sightseeing bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students crashed, resulting in 15 fatalities in June.