24-hour JPJ operation in Sibu from Jan 4

SIBU: It’s round-the-clock operation for Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement officers from Jan 4 next year, an intensified effort to curtail the number of road accidents.JPJ Sibu chief Rosilan Md Sari said the new arrangement would hopefully bring down the number of traffic offenders as well.

“Towards this goal, our enforcement ought to be carried out 24 hours a day and on seven-day weeks,” he said, adding that enforcement on festive season only was not enough.

“Our operations include setting up of roadblocks and patrolling,” he told reporters after the launching of a road safety campaign near the Lanang bridge yesterday.

The campaign, organised by the Resident’s Office and the National Road Safety Council, was officiated by Resident Sim Kok Kee and witnessed by, among others, traffic police chief ACP Vincent Tang.

Rosilan said his officers would be working on shifts to overcome the problem of manpower shortage.

For this year until Dec 11, JPJ Sibu has issued some 8,600 summonses for various traffic offences.

Offenders who settled their compound fines promptly were given discount up to 30 per cent.

“Those who paid up within the 15 days after the issuance of the summonses got 30 per cent discount while those who paid up within the next 15 days got 15 per cent discount.

“No more discount after the 31st,” he said.

On pirate taxi operation, Rosilan said his men were still going after these illegal operators though the number of pirate taxi operators seemed to be dwindling.

Under Section 33 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and/or Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987, a convicted pirate cabby is liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or one year’s imprisonment or both.

More than 100 goody bags were distributed to motorists during the campaign yesterday.