Lorry operators pay RM100k a month for “protection” stickers, to pass roadblocks without inspection: report

A syndicate selling “protection stickers” targeting operators of heavy vehicles has been found, and this syndicate seeks operators who are looking to evade fines and inspections of their vehicles at roadblocks, according to New Straits Times citing a report by Utusan Malaysia.

These stickers are purchased by some lorry drivers at prices from RM1,000 per vehicle, and the stickers are attached to vehicles in order to signal corrupt enforcement officers of the vehicles’ “protection” status. Prices of the protection stickers vary based on the vehicle’s weight and its intended zones of operation, and some operators purchase multiple stickers for wider coverage.

The syndicate allegedly involved insiders within enforcement agencies, who could earn up to RM10,000 a month per operator engaged, the report cited a lorry driver representative who requested anonymity. For example, an operator with a fleet of 10 lorries may pay syndicates RM100,000 a month for protection from enforcement agencies.

“These stickers often feature designs like an eagle symbol with specific codes. When syndicate members or enforcement officers spot the sticker, they recognise that the lorry has ‘paid’ and allow it to pass without inspection. The primary users of these stickers are trailers and tipper lorries,” the source said.

“This has been happening for years. As long as the sticker is displayed, the lorry can pass through roadblocks, regardless of its offence,” they added.

Citing an example, if a driver usually operates in Klang but enters Petaling Jaya, the lorry driver might still be stopped for being ‘out of zone’ despite having a sticker, because the sticker they purchased is only recognised for a given area. “In such situations, the operator must negotiate separately with the Petaling Jaya syndicate to obtain similar privileges for that area,” the source said.

The protection sticker syndicates are unlike ‘tonto’ services which are cheaper, who are illegal informants alerting drivers to the presence of roadblocks, as the protection sticker syndicates aim to enable uninterrupted travel despite the higher costs incurred by lorry operators, according to the report.

At present, the “protection” sticker syndicates appear to be limited to operators of heavy vehicles such as lorries, and taxi operators did not use these for “immunity” from law enforcement, another source told Utusan Malaysia.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.