22/01/2026

THURSDAY | JAN 22, 2026

5

IJM probe: RM15m bank

More than 3,600 heavy vehicles exceed load limit

MACC to intensify e-waste investigations PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will intensify investigations into the illegal importation of electronic waste (e-waste) following intelligence disclosure that between 2,000 and 3,000 containers of e-waste have been smuggled into the country through main ports. MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the number reflected the scale of e-waste smuggling, which is increasingly worrying and requires more comprehensive enforcement. “If not combated comprehensively, it has the potential to cause serious pollution.” He added that the companies involved were believed to be owned by foreigners and were importing e-waste, plastic and paper to be processed for recycling purposes. “Valuable components such as copper, alloys and gold were taken, while the remaining waste was disposed of by burning, burying or directly dumping, polluting air and water resources.” Ahmad Khusairi said MACC does not rule out the possibility of protection from certain authorities tasked with preventing the entry of the e-waste. To address the pressing issue, he said the E-Waste Enforcement Special Task Force Meeting was established with members from 12 agencies including the MACC, Waste Acceptance Control Agency, police, Environment Department, Customs Department and the International Trade and Industry Ministry. He added that the task force would assess existing laws and tighten operations to close smuggling channels at all entry points. “This meeting will examine specific laws related to e-waste and implement more effective enforcement actions to ensure that smuggling activities could be eradicated at the grassroots.” – Bernama MACC was previously reported to be focusing on allegations involving IJM based on internal sources saying a top management member with the title of Tan Sri and an adviser were identified as persons of interest. – Bernama accounts frozen KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) conducted inspections and searches at four separate locations in its investigation into the Op Heart case involving IJM Corporation Bhd (IJM). According to a source, the inspections and searches in the investigation into corporate governance issues, procurement processes, financial transactions and ownership of assets abroad estimated to be worth about RM2.5 billion were carried out, including at the residence and office of a high-level IJM manager on Tuesday. “At the same time, MACC also froze 55 private bank accounts and related company accounts estimated at approximately RM15.8 million. “In addition, the investigation is also focusing on efforts to trace and seize other assets suspected to have been obtained through money laundering activities.” The source said the recording of statements from the two high-level management personnel of the companies involved, which began on Tuesday, would continue on and five more witnesses would be called to record their statements. “To date, a total of nine recorded statements have been taken.” Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the investigation is being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4 (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

o Significant proportion of offences classified as serious breaches: Loke

infrastructure, in addition to endangering other road users. He also said early indicators suggest strengthened enforcement against heavy vehicles is yielding positive results. According to the police Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles showed a “promising downward trend” in 2025. Preliminary data indicated 232 fatal crash cases involving heavy vehicles in 2023, rising to 260 cases in 2024 before dropping significantly to 163 cases in 2025. The statistics cover fatal crashes involving lorries, trailers and heavy goods vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicles were the primary cause of the crashes. “The decline provides an early indication that enhanced enforcement measures on heavy vehicle safety compliance, including load control, have contributed to reducing the risk of fatal road accidents,” Loke said, adding that the effort aligns with the government’s objective of safeguarding the lives of road users.

degrees of overloading across three weight categories, with a significant proportion classified as serious breaches that pose risks to road safety and infrastructure. “For vehicles with a permissible load of 7.5 tonnes and below (decontrolled category), a total of 1,731 vehicles were found to be overloaded. “Of these, 655 vehicles exceeded limits by 10% to 35%, 549 vehicles by 35% to 70% and 527 vehicles by more than 70%.” In the 7.5-tonne to 32-tonne category, 1,193 vehicles were identified. This included 916 vehicles overloaded by 10% to 35%, 125 vehicles by 35% to 50% and 152 vehicles exceeding limits by more than 50%. Meanwhile, 680 vehicles in the above-32 tonne category were found to be carrying excess loads. Of this total, 473 vehicles exceeded limits by 10% to 25%, 167 vehicles by 25% to 50% and 40 vehicles by more than 50%. He added that the data showed many cases involved high levels of excess load, which could compromise vehicle stability, braking efficiency and the durability of road

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: More than 3,600 heavy vehicles were caught flouting load limits in just three months last year, exposing widespread non-compliance that authorities warn is endangering lives and damaging roads. Transport Minister Anthony Loke yesterday told the Dewan Rakyat that action was taken against 3,604 vehicles and their drivers for carrying loads beyond permitted limits during a special enforcement operation by the Road Transport Department in the fourth quarter of 2025, in response to a question by Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin. Loke said the offences involved varying

Loke using a self-service ticketing kiosk at the Lalaport Transport Hub. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

‘Express buses must operate from licensed terminals’

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Lumpur City Hall, and the Land Public Transport Agency is prepared to issue licences once all requirements are met.” Designed mainly for Kuala Lumpur Singapore express services, Lalaport complements larger terminals such as TBS and Gombak, which continue to serve domestic routes to the north, south, and east coast. The ministry targets February for Lalaport to be fully operational. At the function, Loke was joined by Asia Success Resources Sdn Bhd CEO Aaron Chuah Ze Pey and Land Public Transport Agency deputy director-general (development) Ahmad Radhi Maarof. The Lalaport Transport Hub in Bukit Bintang City Centre, operated by Asia Success Resources, supports tourist and charter bus services in central Kuala Lumpur. It features 11 bus bays, a centralised ticketing system, LRT and Monorail access and a Bus On Demand service connecting nearby areas.

Singapore routes a three-month grace period to continue using their existing stops without fines, pending the readiness of proper terminals. He emphasised that operators are not being forced into a single terminal but must only operate from licensed locations meeting safety standards. “They have options. They could go to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), Gombak, One Utama, IOI City Mall or Sunway Pyramid. “But they cannot simply stop anywhere they want. “They must operate from licensed terminals that meet safety requirements.” Currently, operations at Lalaport are minimal, with only one or two operators using the facility. Loke expects three to four more companies to move in once approvals are secured. “Our first priority is to ensure all the facilities are ready. “We also need approvals from Kuala

KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke yesterday said express bus operators must operate only from licensed, safer terminals, including major shopping complexes. He explained that the move is aimed at eliminating hazardous stops that pose safety risks and exacerbate traffic congestion. He cited bus stops near popular city areas as examples of locations unsuitable for public use due to heavy traffic and passenger safety concerns. He added that traffic is always congested at certain key locations. “More importantly, we feel it is not safe for passengers to get on and off buses there,” he told reporters after a site visit to the Lalaport Transport Hub. Loke said the ministry has granted express bus operators running Kuala Lumpur