ALOR STAR: The Road Transport Department (RTD) will take immediate action against express bus drivers found to be live-streaming on TikTok while driving during this year's Hari Raya Aidilfitri (HRA) operation.
RTD senior director (enforcement) Datuk Lokman Jamaan said it would deploy undercover officers on every express bus to ensure no such misconduct occurs.
He said public cooperation in recording videos or taking pictures of drivers engaging in such behaviour is highly encouraged.
"They can send the evidence to us with the date and location of the incident to facilitate our actions.
"There have been cases like this before (using mobile phones and live streaming on TikTok), but we have not received any complaints for this Hari Raya operation.
"However, if such misconduct is detected, immediate action will be taken, but the journey can continue," Lokman told a press conference at the Shahab Perdana Bus Terminal here last night.
Lokman also inspected the tyre thickness of express buses and whether their signals were in good condition by using a specific equipment.
He said throughout the 2024 Hari Raya Aidilfitri operation, five express bus drivers were found to be positive for Methamphetamine use.
He said two of them were detected in Sarawak, one in Kota Baru, Kelantan, and two more in Alor Star, Kedah.
He said two detected in Alor Setar, aged 31 and 67, were suspected of consuming the illicit substance during a random urine screening test at this terminal last night while en route from Alor Star to the East Coast.
Lokman added that from April 1 to 5, RTD inspected 163,558 vehicles nationwide.
He said the department took action against 21,742 vehicles, while 39,066 (24 per cent) of the notices for various offences were issued for failing to comply with road safety regulations.
"1,495 vehicles were seized, involving 1,219 motorcycles, 177 cars, and 99 other vehicles.
"Among the summonses issued were for various offences such as driving without a Driver's Licence or Competent Driver's License (CDL) (10,405), expired road tax (7,339), technical issues (6,821), and no insurance (6,094), as well as no vocational license (1,233).
"Other offences included speeding, running red lights, crossing double lines, emergency lane usage, cutting queues, mobile phone usage, failure to wear seat belts/helmets, driving heavy vehicles in fast lanes, and overloading (1,730)," he said.
Lokman said the RTD would summon the respective bus operating companies, and a complete investigation report would be submitted to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) for action under Act 715.
He said the RTD would also suspend the driver's license under Section 36 of Act 333 after obtaining further confirmation from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).