On December 23, 2024, the nation was horrified to learn about a crash that took seven lives and left 33 others injured. The catastrophic lorry accident, caused by a dislodged lorry tyre near Ayer Keroh, isn’t just another statistic. It’s a damning verdict on the failures of Malaysia’s transport policies—and by extension, the leadership of Anthony Loke. This tragedy is the culmination of systemic neglect, policy blunders, and a lack of political will to enforce safety on our roads.
When Anthony Loke abolished the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) in 2018 and replaced it with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), it was sold as progress. In reality, it was a regression. SPAD had teeth; APAD did not. Under SPAD, lorry drivers adhered to rules out of sheer necessity. Fear of enforcement was real. APAD? It’s a paper tiger. Lorry drivers scoff at its ineffectiveness, and the Ayer Keroh tragedy is proof of the consequences.
In 2018, a graduate member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) warned the government of the consequences of abolishing SPAD. In the same article, Lynna Abdul argues that SPAD is “positioned to enforce rules concerning land-based public transport, including freight," despite many perceiving such a role as duplicating the role of JPJ.
APAD’s limitations extend beyond policy. Unlike SPAD, which had its own enforcement personnel and the authority to prosecute offenders independently, APAD lacks such power. Instead, it is forced to rely on the Road Transport Department (JPJ), diluting its effectiveness. Automotive observer Hezeri Samsuri argued, “Even if the minister doesn’t want to reinstate SPAD, he has to make sure that APAD is given more power and that there is stricter enforcement.”
Road safety expert Law Teik Hua highlighted the need for an independent body to address the alarming rise in fatal road accidents. Drawing inspiration from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, he suggested a centralized authority to develop road safety policies and coordinate with automotive companies and enforcement agencies. “With more coordinated and strategic measures, we can reduce the number of accidents and make the roads a safer place for everyone,” Law stated, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive reform.
Former teacher Mohd Fadli Salleh shared his experience of asking a bus driver to drop him in at Greenwood but was scoffed at by the driver, who said that there are SPAD (officers) around the area and that many drivers faced consequences for dropping passengers at an inappropriate location.
Former SPAD officer Adi Muhaimin Hakim told of the ICOP Safety unit. It was one of SPAD’s crowning achievements. This unit was specifically tasked with monitoring and enforcing safety compliance among transport operators. It didn’t just set standards; it enforced them. SPAD conducted audits, suspended permits for non-compliance, and ensured that unfit vehicles stayed off the roads until all safety requirements were met. Operators who repeatedly flouted the rules faced severe consequences, including permanently revoking their permits.
Under SPAD’s oversight, the fatal accident rates involving heavy vehicles like lorries and buses were significantly lower. The ICOP Safety initiative wasn’t just a bureaucratic measure; it saved lives by holding transport operators accountable and by fostering a culture of safety within the industry. Today, roads have become far more perilous without such robust enforcement mechanisms.
Let’s be clear: this was not an unavoidable accident. It was the result of a regulatory failure that was so glaring that it was impossible to ignore. Tyres don’t just come off when vehicles are properly maintained and inspected. And that brings us to Puspakom.
Puspakom is Malaysia’s sole vehicle inspection agency, but it’s a monopoly mired in allegations of corruption and inefficiency. Stories abound of vehicles passing inspections despite being unfit for the roads. Bribery, favouritism, and a lack of transparency have made Puspakom synonymous with failure. Under Loke’s watch, this rot continues unchecked.
Azlan Zawawi, a road safety activist, revealed that certain tyre shops rent tyres for lorries and vehicles, specifically for Puspakom inspection. This is an open secret among lorry drivers. In another post, Azlan, famously known as Lando, showed a lorry driver who claimed that his vehicle only passed Puspakom inspection after he hired a runner for RM300 after multiple failed inspections.
Though Loke had previously announced that Puspakom's monopoly is ending, JPJ does not need to conduct checks at Puspakom. It has already admitted that it is powerless against commercial vehicles using cosmetic agents. All it needs to do is scan social media for tyre shops or automotive workshops that provide such dishonest service, raid them, and charge them accordingly.
It comes full circle on Loke's second tenure as Transport Minister. His dismantling of SPAD was supposed to be a hallmark of reform, but it’s now a symbol of everything wrong with Malaysia’s transport policies. The lack of enforcement under APAD and the continued dysfunction of Puspakom fall squarely on his shoulders. This tragedy isn’t just about a detached tyre but a minister detached from accountability.
Anthony Loke’s resignation is not a matter of politics—it’s a matter of principle. Leadership means taking responsibility, especially when policies and oversight failures result in loss of life. Stepping down would be the first step in rebuilding public trust and ensuring that such tragedies are never repeated.
The Ministry of Transport needs a leader who will do more than make promises. It needs someone who will reform Puspakom, restore robust enforcement, and prioritize the safety of Malaysians above all else. Anthony Loke has shown he is not that leader. It’s time for him to go.
Ahmad Mustakim is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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