KUANTAN: A group of about 500 lorry drivers today gathered at the intersection leading to the Pahang Road Transport Department (RTD) in Indera Mahkota here seeking fair enforcement action from the agency.
They came from various parts of the state to hand over a memorandum containing seven demands to Pahang RTD director Kamarul Iskandar Nordin at about 10.15am.
Traffic policemen and People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) members were seen helping to control the crowd as the gathering was held near a food stall and housing settlement.
A spokesman from the group Mohd Irwan Shah Brahim, 38, said they had voluntarily gathered to raise their opinions concerning the enforcement operations carried out against lorry drivers.
"We did not gather to stage a protest against the government, but we hope the government will listen to our voices. This is a nationwide issue involving the transportation operators.
"We urge the government to review the standard enforcement operating procedures against heavy vehicles and be more considerate to the driver. At times, the strict enforcement puts the driver under immense pressure when we just want to earn a living," he told reporters after handing the memorandum to the state RTD.
Among the demands in the memorandum is for the government to increase the laden weight of lorries, overloading issues and raise the commercial vehicle rentals.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shamsuddin Zakaria, who also represented the lorry drivers, said they were prepared to meet Transport Minister Anthony Loke or representatives from the ministry to find a win-win solution in the matter.
"We have handed the memorandum and do not want the matter to just end here. Holding a meeting to understand the lorry drivers' plight will allow people out there to understand our issues better...we are prepared if the minister or ministry want to engage with us. Please do not sideline us," he said.
Meanwhile, Kamarul Iskandar said the state RTD will refer the memorandum, which involves policies to a higher level in the department.