Malaysia’s trucking industry has sufficient capacity despite stricter enforcement on overloading, the Malaysia Trucking Federation said.
Enforcement Against Overloading Improved Efficiency – MTF
The Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) has backed the government’s intensified enforcement against vehicle overloading, stating the measures have not driven up overall transport rates or caused a shortage of capacity.
MTF, which represents approximately 1,800 freight operators nationwide, stated that stricter enforcement had corrected long-standing distortions in pricing rather than increasing costs across the board.
Transport rates for cargo that already complied with legal weight limits, according to the federation, had remained stable since enforcement was stepped up about eight weeks ago.
“Only sectors that previously relied on overloading are affected; in such cases, the price per trip remains the same, while the cost per tonne now accurately reflects lawful and compliant transport rates,” it said in its official statement.
The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has positioned the crackdown as a road safety measure and part of broader efforts to professionalise the logistics sector. Overloading, specifically, has long been linked to road damage, accidents, and unfair competition among operators.
MTF said that during the initial phase of enforcement, the industry experienced a short-term disruption. However, operations have now been stabilised as transport operators, shippers, and customers adjusted to the new rules. It added that truck availability remained sufficient to meet market demand.
In addition, the federation stated that many of its members have reported operational improvements since trucks began operating within legal limits, including improved transport efficiency, smoother vehicle turnaround and scheduling, better cargo planning, and a clear shift toward a more sustainable and professional industry structure.
Therefore, MTF urged authorities to maintain strict enforcement and called on operators still practising overloading to stop.
“The industry must clearly recognise that overloading has no place in modern transport operations. We urge operators who are still practising overloading to immediately cease such activities and transition fully towards safe, compliant, and lawful operations,” MTF said.
Lastly, MTF slso proposed the creation of a formal, long-term platform for dialogue between the industry and MoT to strengthen the industry on a sustainable basis.
MTF is a member of the ASEAN Trucking Federation, and its president currently serves as interim chairman of the regional organisation.
