Penry Urges Strict Enforcement of Truck Restriction Regulation in Labuhanbatu

LABUHANBATU | INDATANEWS.COM - The Secretary of the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) faction at the Labuhanbatu Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), Penry Patartua Nababan, S.H., M.H., has urged the Labuhanbatu Regency Government to immediately implement and widely communicate Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 7 of 2024 concerning restrictions on freight transport vehicles entering and operating on designated roads.

Penry said the Labuhanbatu Government must take concrete steps to ensure that the regulation, which has been ratified and has been effective since November 20, 2024, is properly implemented. According to him, the enactment of a regulation must be followed by targeted public outreach and consistent field supervision so that residents and business operators understand and comply with the applicable provisions.

Lack of Supervision Despite Existing Regulation

Penry conveyed the demand during a working meeting of the Labuhanbatu DPRD some time ago. He called on the regional government to immediately conduct direct information campaigns for the public, companies, and freight transport service operators who are directly affected by the implementation of the regulation.

"This regulation has already been legally established and is in force. Therefore, it must be implemented. The government must immediately inform all affected parties," Penry said during a conversation with media representatives on Sunday (2/7/2016).

Penry explained that until now, many large freight transport vehicles, including heavy tractor-trailers and so-called Tronton trucks, continue to enter and operate within the Rantauprapat urban area. In his view, this situation indicates that supervision of the implementation of Perda No. 7 of 2024 has not yet been carried out optimally.

He said that high-capacity vehicles traveling through urban areas could disrupt other road users, cause traffic congestion, and increase the risk of accidents that threaten public safety.

Therefore, Penry called on the Regent of Labuhanbatu to instruct the Transportation Agency (Dinas Perhubungan) to coordinate with the Labuhanbatu Police Chief, particularly the Traffic Unit (Satuan Lalu Lintas), to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of the regulation.

"This must become a shared concern. The regional government as the policy implementer and the DPRD as the supervisory institution must ensure that this regulation is truly implemented," he said.

Penry emphasized that the Labuhanbatu Government has the responsibility to fully enforce every regulation that has been approved. The DPRD, he added, would continue to carry out its supervisory function so that the regulation does not merely exist on paper but provides real benefits for the community.

Weak Enforcement Triggers Community Conflict

Penry also criticized the inadequate implementation of Perda No. 7 of 2024 so far. He stated that weak enforcement of the regulation had already caused problems in several areas, including the HSJ intersection in Sei Tampang Village, Bilah Hilir District, Labuhanbatu Regency.

He explained that the situation had even created tensions among residents and resulted in complaints being submitted to law enforcement authorities. According to him, this development should serve as a warning for the Labuhanbatu Government to take firm action immediately.

"This is a very serious issue. The government must not allow the public to suffer again due to a lack of consistency in implementing this regulation, especially with the possibility of fatalities," he said.

Penry expressed hope that the Labuhanbatu Government, together with all relevant agencies, could find a solution so that the implementation of the regulation would not create new conflicts within society. He urged the government not to wait until larger problems occur before taking action.

Demand for Traffic Signs and Tonnage Control Gates

In addition to demanding a comprehensive information campaign regarding the regional regulation, Penry also called for budget allocation to support its implementation. One important measure, he said, was the installation of traffic signs indicating the maximum permitted tonnage for freight transport vehicles at various locations.

If necessary, the government should also establish control gates at certain points to prevent overloaded vehicles from passing freely.

"The implementation of these measures is mandatory. Funds must be provided for public information campaigns and the installation of truck tonnage restriction signs. In Bilah, control gates must also be installed," he said.

Penry stated that an evaluation, including the possibility of revoking Perda No. 7 of 2024, could be considered if the Labuhanbatu Government believes that the regulation no longer provides benefits or does not serve the interests of the community.

He stressed that the government must not allow an approved regulation to remain without clear implementation. If the regulation no longer meets regional needs, its revocation must be carried out according to applicable legal procedures.

"If this regional regulation is truly not in the interests of the people and does not benefit the regional government, then it should be revoked," Penry firmly stated.

Penry said he had repeatedly raised the issue of implementing Perda No. 7 of 2024 in various Labuhanbatu DPRD meetings, including budget committee meetings, working meetings, and plenary sessions.

However, he said that no concrete steps from the Labuhanbatu Government had been seen so far to ensure that the regulation was actually enforced.

"The people of Sei Tampang are still involved in disputes and continue filing mutual reports with the Labuhanbatu Police regarding the enforcement of this regional regulation," he concluded. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala