JPJ arrests factory bus driver after 5km chase for lacking PSV licence, road tax and insurance, with 10 outstanding summonses for similar offences.
BUTTERWORTH: A factory bus driver led Road Transport Department officers on a five-kilometre chase during a special operation along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near Batu Maung industrial area.
JPJ personnel pursued the bus for approximately 10 minutes before successfully stopping it in Batu Maung.
The 39-year-old driver had just dropped off workers and was returning to the depot when the incident occurred.
Penang JPJ director Zulkifly Ismail confirmed the driver lacked a public service vehicle licence during checks.
The bus also operated without valid road tax or insurance coverage.
“The driver claimed that his employer told him not to stop, so he decided to flee,” Zulkifly told reporters at the Penang JPJ headquarters in Seberang Jaya.
He noted the fortunate absence of passengers during the chase.
The driver had accumulated 10 outstanding summonses for similar offences including driving without PSV licence, insurance and road tax.
The early morning operation beginning at 5am also uncovered bus operators hiring foreign nationals as factory bus drivers.
This practice violates the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
Officers inspected 215 buses during the operation, identifying 26 factory buses committing various offences.
JPJ issued 81 summonses and impounded 20 buses as enforcement actions.
Zulkifly reminded factory bus operators to verify driver documents including driving and PSV licences before employment. – Bernama
