A factory bus driver led Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers on a five-kilometre chase early Tuesday morning in Bayan Lepas, Penang, after refusing to stop during a special operation targeting factory buses.
Penang JPJ director Zulkifly Ismail said the incident occurred along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the Batu Maung industrial area. The 39-year-old driver, who had just dropped off workers and was heading back to the depot, ignored orders to pull over, prompting officers to pursue him for about 10 minutes before successfully stopping the vehicle in Batu Maung.
“Checks revealed the driver did not possess a valid public service vehicle (PSV) licence, and the bus was operating without road tax or insurance,” Zulkifly said during a press conference at the Penang JPJ headquarters in Seberang Jaya.
The driver reportedly told officers he had fled because his employer instructed him not to stop. Fortunately, there were no passengers onboard during the chase.
Further checks found that the driver had 10 outstanding summonses for similar offences, including driving without a PSV licence, insurance, and valid road tax.
Zulkifly added that the special operation, which began at 5 a.m., also uncovered several companies employing foreign nationals as factory bus drivers, an offence under the Land Public Transport Act (APAD) 2010.
A total of 215 factory buses were inspected during the operation. Authorities issued 81 summonses and seized 20 buses for various violations.
Zulkifly reminded factory bus operators to thoroughly verify their drivers’ credentials, including valid driving and PSV licences, before hiring them. — Bernama
