The lorry transport industry is governed by the Road Transport Act and the weights transmitted onto our roads are restricted under the Weight Restriction Order (WRO)1978 which currently specifies the axle ratings as follow:-

1. Drive Axle - 6 tonnes

2. Trailing Axle - 10 tonnes

3. Tandem Axle - 16 tonnes

4. Triaxle - 18 tonnes

5. Prime Mover 6 x 2 or 6 x 4 restricted at 20 tonnes maximum

Based on the above, the industry was permitted to licence prime mover and trailer combinations as follows:

1. 1 + 1 + 1 = 6+10+10 = 26 tonnes BDM (berat dengan muatan)

2. 1 + 1 + 2 = 6+10+16 = 32 tonnes BDM

3. 1 + 1 + 3 = 6+10+18 = 34 tonnes BDM

4. 1 + 2 + 2 = PM20+16 = 36 tonnes BDM

5. 1 + 2 + 3 = PM20+18 = 38 tonnes BDM

All container haulage prime mover and trailer combinations in Malaysia are currently licenced at the maximum BDM 38 tonnes.

About two months ago, the new works minister announced that axle ratings will be increased by 20% giving the impression that lorries can take on extra 20% payload which is not true as we just cannot simply add on weight. The amendments need to be passed by parliament first.

The amendments to the WRO 1978 seek to increase the axle ratings in line with international standards to as follow:-

1) Drive Axle - 7 tonnes

2) Trailing Axle - 12 tonnes

3) Tandem Axle - 20 tonnes

4) Triaxle - 24 tonnes

5) Prime Mover 6 x 2 or 6 x 4 restricted at 20 tonnes maximum

With the above new amendments yet to be passed by parliament, the following prime mover and trailer combinations can now be allowed:

1. 1 + 1 + 1 = 7+10+12 = 29 ton BDM

2. 1 + 1 + 2 = 7+10+20 = 37 ton BDM

3. 1 + 1 + 3 = 7+10+24 = 41 ton BDM

4. 1 + 2 + 2 = PM20+20 = 40 ton BDM

5. 1 + 2 + 3 = PM20+24 = 44 ton BDM

Despite the amendments having yet to be passed, some years back, plans were approved for general cargo and tanker trailers based on the proposed amendments. Many prime mover and trailer combinations have been licenced, albeit ultra virus the WRO1978.

What is most alarming is that the Technical Department of the Road Transport Department (RTD) recently approved 1+2+4 combinations at 61 tonnes BDM without any basis to the WRO 1978.

Surely the works ministry is not aware of this for they will definitely object as such approval will caused extensive damage to our roads and bridges which are not designed to accept such heavy roads.

overloaded lorry While approval given to specialised vehicles are acceptable and subject to the minister's approval under the purview of the Road Transport Act, normal prime mover and semi-trailer combinations such as the articulated general cargo trailers, articulated tankers, articulated tipper trailers all come under the purview of the Weight Restriction Order and the Maximum Permissible Laden Weight (Berat Dengan Muatan).

There are now several prime mover and articulated general cargo trailers licenced at 60,300kgs manufactered by Zenith Engineering.

Even in the US, Japan and in European countries, where their roads and bridges are designed to accept 12 tonnes axle load, the MPLW (BDM) for a prime mover and trailer combinations, that is for our 6 x 2 or 6 x4 prime mover + triple axle trailers (1+2+3) is at our current 44 tonnes.

Appropriate action must be taken to ensure that all approvals by the RTD’s Technical Department are in conformation to our WRO 1978 and its amendments. Continued deviations will cause further confusion in the already badly-regulated lorry transport industry.