22 locations identified for installation of automatic system to check overloaded lorries

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 22 locations have been identified for the proposed installation of the High-Speed Weigh-in-Motion (HS-WiM) system nationwide, the Transport Ministry said yesterday.

It said in a statement that proactive measures have been taken to expand the use of the HS-WiM system, particularly on highways, roads near ports, and newly identified rail project routes that have been recognised as hotspots for overloaded vehicles and accident black spots.

The ministry said the installation of the system at selected locations, as announced in Budget 2025 on Friday, demonstrates the government's concern in response to the rising death toll caused by road accidents involving overloaded vehicles.

"As of the first quarter of 2024, a total of 287 fatal accidents involving overloaded vehicles were reported by the police,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2025 yesterday, had announced an allocation of RM750 million to the ministry for public transport initiatives, including the approval for the HS-WiM system, which is capable of detecting overloaded vehicles in real-time and automatically.

In another development, the ministry said the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which has now reached 89.11 per cent completion, is expected to be finished within the set timeline of Dec 31, 2026.

It also confirmed it would start the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project in Penang by the end of this year, which will connect key areas in Penang such as George Town, Butterworth, Gelugor, Sungai Dua and Bayan Lepas.

It said that in 2025, ministry would buy new electric train sets, which would increase capacity by up to 1.5 million passengers annually and improve service frequency during peak hours.

"The ministry will acquire 24 new electric train sets for the Northern and Southern commuter service to standardise the quality of commuter services with those available in the Klang Valley.

"Furthermore, 14 new Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) will replace push-pull coaches for intercity services from JB Sentral to Tumpat, reducing the one-way journey time from 15 to 11 hours,” it said.