The Transport Ministry will set the new speed limit and route for lorries carrying bauxite to reduce pollution and to ensure public safety.

Its minister, Liow Tiong Lai, said this was contained in the improvement of bauxite transporting regulation which was made following the discussions with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

He said the improvement of the regulation would be handed to the Pahang state government soon.

Liow did not rule out the possibility of using black boxes or other latest technology to ensure that all bauxite lorries would comply with the new speed limit.

“We will set the speed limit because some drivers tend to speed in order to make more trips and this endangers local residents and cause pollution.

“We will also ensure that all bauxite lorries are cleaned and well-covered and comply with the conditions set by the Department of Environment (JAS) before they enter the main roads,” he told reporters after attending a ceremony to hand over English reading materials to seven schools in Bentong today.

Liow said focus would also be given to the port area and he had instructed the ministry’s secretary-general, Saripuddin Kasim, to ensure all stipulated conditions were followed to prevent sea pollution.

He said the ministry had also sought advice from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) relating to bauxite transportation at sea.

- Bernama