KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): A total of 106,651 out of 207,083 active commercial vehicles had verified speed limitation devices (SLDs) installed as of Oct 26, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

He said this represented a compliance rate of 51.5%.

For vehicles manufactured before 2015, which required SLD retrofitting, he said only 34,514 of the 202,861 vehicles had SLDs installed, representing a compliance rate of 17%.

“The main challenge involves vehicles requiring SLD retrofitting, as some may not be compatible with the devices and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may be unable to provide the necessary technical support.

“That is why we are allowing some additional time for compliance,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) on the enforcement of the SLD installation requirement during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

Loke said priority would be given to enforcing the SLD requirement on commercial vehicles manufactured after 2015, as the device was already mandatory under the Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) process and owners only needed to ensure it was activated.

He said the legal framework for the installation, verification and enforcement of SLDs had been drafted and would be gazetted soon, after which the ministry would announce the strategy and timeline for compliance.

“Our focus now is on enforcing the requirement for newer vehicles, particularly those manufactured after 2015, as there is no excuse for them not to have an SLD. The VTA already provides for the device, which only needs to be activated.

“However, we will examine the technical aspects involved in retrofitting and how it can be carried out. I can assure the Honourable Member that there is no intention to cancel enforcement of the SLD requirement,” he said.

According to Loke, only 33 companies had been approved by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) nationwide to provide SLD retrofitting services as of Oct 26, a number he said was insufficient to meet demand from more than 200,000 vehicles.

He said the ministry encouraged more companies to seek approval from JPJ to provide SLD installation services, especially in states with limited or no such facilities.

“We need these workshops to form a wider network so that vehicle owners in every state can access a nearby facility,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) on the shortage of workshops equipped to handle SLDs.

Loke said enforcement of the SLD installation requirement was being carried out in phases beginning Oct 1, 2025, for designated categories of commercial vehicles, with speeds limited to a maximum of 90 kilometres per hour in accordance with United Nations (UN) Regulation No. 89.

The Transport Ministry announced on June 30 that full enforcement of the SLD requirement, originally scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, would be deferred to allow the industry more time to complete the compliance process in an orderly manner.

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