FMM PRESS STATEMENT: FMM Calls for Consultative and Phased Implementation of Overloading Enforcement to Safeguard Supply Chain Stability
November 10, 2025
Head Office, KL
Kuala Lumpur, November 10, 2025 — The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) recognises the Ministry of Transport’s commitment to safeguarding lives and preserving road infrastructure through stricter control of overloaded commercial vehicles. The ongoing special operation by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) from October 14 to December 31, 2025, reflects MOT’s clear concern over public safety and damage to road infrastructure.
FMM fully recognises that compliance with transport laws is both a legal and moral responsibility. Overloading poses serious safety risks and contributes to road deterioration, increasing maintenance costs for both the public and private sectors. However, the immediate and extensive enforcement without structured consultation or an appropriate transition period risks major disruption to Malaysia’s supply chain and manufacturing operations.
The general cargo transport sector has long operated under rate structures, payload capacities and delivery schedules built around practical efficiency. Sudden enforcement without time for adjustment disrupts these arrangements, raises logistics and production costs, and creates ripple effects that ultimately impact manufacturers, exporters, and consumers. These pressures are further compounded by the introduction of the six per cent service tax on logistics and transportation services in March 2024, which has increased transport cost at a time when the sector is already adjusting to new compliance requirements.
Malaysia’s weight and axle load limits under the Road Transport (Weight Restriction) Orders are aligned with international standards. The issue is not the limits themselves, but the system-wide recalibration required to comply. Vehicles have been configured and contracts priced for trip-based efficiency and realigning these practices demands coordination among transporters, cargo owners and customers to ensure continuity and cost stability.
International experience from the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand shows that sustainable compliance is best achieved through phased implementation supported by structured engagement, accountability and training. These countries combined firm enforcement with weigh-in-motion systems, upgraded infrastructure, and clear “chain of responsibility” frameworks to ensure all players in the logistics ecosystem understood and met their obligations before full enforcement took effect.
FMM emphasises that this is not about opposing compliance but about ensuring practical and sustainable implementation. A phased and consultative approach will enable operators and manufacturers to realign contracts, plan fleet upgrades, and manage load distribution without destabilising logistics operations or inflating costs across industries.
To achieve this, FMM proposes the establishment of a Joint Logistics Safety and Compliance Council comprising the Ministry of Transport, the Road Transport Department, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, transporters, cargo owners, and industry representatives. The Council would serve as the platform for structured engagement between government and industry to coordinate enforcement approaches, review ground challenges, set infrastructure priorities and guide compliance training and digital monitoring initiatives.
Such an approach will ensure that the government’s safety objectives are achieved without undermining logistics efficiency or industrial competitiveness. When implementation is grounded in consultation and partnership, Malaysia can build a logistics ecosystem that is both safe and sustainable.
To achieve this, FMM proposes the establishment of a Joint Logistics Safety and Compliance Council comprising the Ministry of Transport, the Road Transport Department, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, transporters, cargo owners, and industry representatives. The Council would serve as the platform for structured engagement between government and industry to coordinate enforcement approaches, review ground challenges, set infrastructure priorities and guide compliance training and digital monitoring initiatives.
Such an approach will ensure that the government’s safety objectives are achieved without undermining logistics efficiency or industrial competitiveness. When implementation is grounded in consultation and partnership, Malaysia can build a logistics ecosystem that is both safe and sustainable.
Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai
President, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing
FMM Advocates Transparency, Integrity, Accountability and No Corruption
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About FMM
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) (formerly known as Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers) has been the voice of the Malaysian manufacturing sector since 1968, advocating policies and initiatives that drive industrial growth, competitiveness and workforce development. Representing over 13,300 member companies (4,200 direct and 9,100 indirect) from the manufacturing supply chain, FMM is actively engaged with government and its key agencies at Federal, State and local levels. FMM is also well-linked with international organisations, Malaysian businesses and civil society. Apart from benefitting from FMM’s advocacy, FMM members enjoy value-added services including training, business networking and trade opportunities as well as regular information updates.
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