However, the authorities’ bold move was intended to reduce the government’s expenditure and improve the country’s financial position.

The government’s step which were taken, were not expected to have major effects on the people, so said the Prime Minister, Datuk Najib Tun Razak.

For example, sugar which increased from RM1.65 to RM1.90, a rise of 25 cents per kilogram, was expected to increase the health of the people, who have been reported to have consumed large amount of sugar. Malaysians are said to be overweight or obese. In fact, it is reported that Malaysians are on the whole 40% overweight.

Therefore, the increase in the price of sugar is a blessing in disguise. Malaysians should in fact not complain too much over the increase in the current price of sugar. According to a statement, which was released from the Prime Minister’s department, the percentage of people in Malaysia suffering from diabetes has now exceeded that of the United States.

Will the increase in the price of sugar see an increase in the price of drinks, especially at mamak stalls, coffee shops and restaurants, all across the whole country?

Malaysian’s especially the older generations, are very fond of drinking hot drinks such as Milo coffee, Nescafe and kopi-o with their usual roti canai or chapatti while they have breakfast.

Teh tarik for example now costs RM1.00 a glass. With the increase of the latest price of sugar, according to calculations made, this popular drink will now cost the vendor RM1.003 to prepare. An increase of not even 0.03 sen. Should the mamak stall owner or restaurant owner envisage to increase your cuppa of teh tarik to RM1.20, do not hesitate to report him to the Consumer Association or the nearest police station to have action taken against him.

Malaysians, as a whole are a patient lot of people. In such situations, they tend to accept increase of 10 sen per cup of coffee or teh tarik with hardly no objections at all. I feel this is a wrong attitude to adopt.

What about roti canai? How has the increase of flour affected it? Currently, the price of a piece of roti canai in most mamak stalls and restaurant is said to be 80 sen. With the increase, the price of each piece of roti canai comes to approximately 0.802 sen.

With this calculation therefore, consumers and avid roti canai consumers should not allow this favorite breakfast of yours to be raised, say to 90 sen per piece. Sorry to say, businessmen are rather unscrupulous. They would like to take advantage of the public and raise the price if they possibly can. It is hoped, that readers will not permit this to happen.

Next, coming to the question of the increase of fuel or petrol by 5 sen per liter. How does it affect us?

With the announcement of the recent increase of petrol by 5 sen, RON 95 which most of us including me use, is now being sold at the pumps at RM1.85. While RON 97, which is large favoured by new cars, I presume is being sold at RM2.10 as compared to RM2.05. An increase of 5 sen.

If drivers feel, the minimal increase affects your petrol budget monthly, then by all means, change to using RON 95 instead of RON 97. Well, it is simple as that, isn’t it? What is there to complain?

It is only but a small increase anyway. By the way, it is said the price of petrol in our country is considered to be one of the cheapest in our region, even after the increase. Go to Singapore, which is just across the Causeway, and find for yourself what I am saying is the truth or otherwise.

The increase in the cost of essential commodities such as sugar and petrol, plus a few essential items such as flour, L.P.G. and diesel, as I said earlier, is very minimal.

Looking at the brighter side of things, the recent increase will result in an overall reduction of government expenditures will eventually allow investment in the nation’s future in education, community development and the creation of job opportunities for the people.

The recent increase of essential commodities as sugar and fuel, may not have caused much hardship to the people as a whole. But whether you are aware or otherwise, it seems to have caused some headaches or problems to the government itself.

The government has recently announced that foreign registered vehicles in the country, must now fill up with the dearer version of petrol which is the RON 97.

Starting from August 1st 2010, vehicles with foreign registration plates, such as vehicles bearing Thailand or Singapore registration plates, can only buy RON 97 petrol. This is necessary the fuel subsidy which the government currently accord to RON 95, are in fact for the benefit of Malaysia drivers, and definitely not for foreigners.

Unless and until steps are taken by the authorities to ensure foreigners do not benefit from this fuel subsidy, the country and the government will stand to be on the losing end. Our government’s effort to subsidise our fuel will then have gone to waste.

It is reported that enforcement officers, that as the 1st August 2010, be stationed at all petrol stations, particularly at border areas in Kedah, Perlis, Johor, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure that petrol kiosk operators refrain from the ruling of not selling the subsidized RON 95 to foreign registered vehicles.

Domestic Trade Cooperative and Consumerism Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Yaacob said, “Foreigners can no longer fill up RON 95 petrol, priced at RM1.85 per liter. Its sale is solely intended for Malaysian registered vehicles only. Foreigners can only be allowed to fill up with RON 97, which cost RM2.10 per liter”.

This brings about a very interesting situation. What if a foreigner should fancy eating roti canai at his favorite roti canai stall for breakfast?

After all, do not forget, flour is also being subsidized by the government. Will the stall owner refuse his order for roti canai then? Or will he be requested to opt for nasi lemak instead?

Now, coming back to the question of having enforcement officers stationed at petrol stations to ensure that fuel RON 95 is not sold to foreigners, I personally feel it’s going to be a big hassle. It may even be a mission very difficult to enforce.

Anyway, there is a saying, “If there’s a will, there’s always a way”. Nothing, they say, is impossible!

I feel the best way out of the above problem is to set up a third variety of pumps at out petrol stations selling fuel at a different price solely for foreign registered cars. Let’s suggest for instance the 3rd pump selling fuel, say at RM4.50 for foreign registered cars only, beginning from 1st August 2010.

Thus is settle the problem of selling fuel to foreign registered cars and vehicles. Short of banning foreigners from driving into our country, as allowed by the Geneva Convention of 1949 and 1968, there is in reality no other way to enforce the ruling strictly at all.

My interest or love for this subject was the result of being an ardent history student while I was in school. For all this ardour for the subject of politics, I have for it, should go to the encouragement given by my history teachers, especially Mr. S.P. Subramaniam who incidentally I remember was my History teacher from Form 1 to Form 5.

Thanks to Mr. S.P. Subramaniam, I eventually got an A1 in History for the Overseas School Certificate way back in 1962. My affairs with politics above did not end there.

While attached to the Humanities Department at one local centre of learning in Pulau Pinang way back in 1980s, I took up International Relations (I.R.). I was indeed honoured to be under the good hands of Professor Chandra Mustaffar, the well renowned one time Malaysian opposition leader.

For your info, the above personality started the Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia political party way back in 1960s.

As I remember, though rather vaguely, while at Pulau Pinang, one of the elective subjects which I was offered was the subject of local government. Malaysian political scenario does not only involve Parliament, state government, but also local councils as well.

Examples of local councils include of course, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (D.B.K.L.), Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (M.B.P.J.), Majlis Perbandran Subang Jaya (M.P.S.J.), Majlis Perbandaran Klang (M.P.K.) etc.

For readers’ information, there are a total of about 150 local councils in our country. Local council authorities, such as the above, were actually set up under the Local Council Act. Unfortunately, I have forgotten when it was started.

The Director of the Road Transport Department, Datuk Sureet Singh, revealed recently, the authorities comprising Road Transport Department (J.P.J.) the Police, and the local council people, today, faces a colossal problem. It is said to be facing the problem of being unable to collect RM16 million traffic summonses.

Before proceeding any further with the subject, summons can be issued by namely 3 authorities to drivers or motorists. Those responsible for issuing such summons are the R.T.D, the Police and local council officials.

J.P.J. issue summons for using hand phones while driving, beating red traffic lights and not wearing seat belts. The police issue summons for illegal parking and speeding offences, amongst others.

Under the Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s jurisdiction, it can summon drivers who commit illegal parking. Traffic offenders can be given summonses amounting to RM80. Motorists are normally given a grace period. Motorists can be given the opportunity to request for a discount. The fines can be lowered, if paid early.

However, most motorists choose to ignore traffic summonses issued by local councils. Why does this happen? Simple because, summonses by such councils does not affect road tax renewals.

The M.P.S.J. says it issued some 17,000 traffic summonses monthly. Only 17% is paid up by motorists. The only way to solve this problem is to haul these offenders to court. But, as you know, this is a big hassle. There are limitations in terms of time and resources.

However, motorists beware! In a recent proposal, a briefing recently held with the J.P.J. authorities, it has been decided to make local council summonses online with J.P.J.

If an amendment is made to Section 17 (1) (d) of the Road Transport Act 1987, is passed at the next Parliament session in June 2010, local councils would be able to link up with the J.P.J.

What happens when all this happens? This simply means motorists will be blacklisted. They will have to pay up outstanding summonses before their road taxes can be issued by the Road Transport Authorities.

Regarding the non-payment of summonses to motorists, urban or town councils face the most problem. Parking issues are said to be extremely rampant.

The brakes on repeat traffic offenders by local councils seems to be coming to an end soon. Drivers and motorists beware! Your days as they say, are numbered. You cannot ignore summonses by local councils anymore. You have to regard summonses issued by local authorities the same way as summonses by the J.P.J. and the Police.

To end this article on local council summonses, I would like to enlighten readers about one thing. Being rather well versed with local councils and their rights, I have always made it a point to settle all summonses and parking tickets issued by local councils. My last encounter with the local council was with the M.B.P.J. authorities.

In or around 2008, I visited the M.B.P.J. headquarters in Petaling Jaya to setting 4 or 5 outstanding parking summonses. The Legal Adviser of M.B.P.J. has threatened to institute legal proceedings against me.

I appealed and received discounted amounts for fines imposed. Today, I still have receipts paid for parking fines in my files! As a lecturer for the 5 Hours course for new drivers at my institute every week, it is my opinion that I should set a good example for all my students to follow. I cannot do what they say in Bahasa Malaysia, “seperti ketam menyuruh anaknya jalan betul”. Colloquially translated into English, this proverb literally means, “like a crab advising its young not to walk side ways”.

In my last post, I wrote an article on “5 Things Malaysian Road Users May Not Know”. I am feeling creative today and thought of writing another 5 tips that may be useful for Malaysian road user. Here goes:

1) Parking machines’ failure to issue tickets.

Parking machines have from time to time failed to issue us receipts.

Although, we have often put in money for parking, at times, certain machines do not reciprocate by providing us the receipts we expect to receive.

Worst of all, some machines totally do not issue any receipts at all. In such a situation, what are we to do?

For such situation, what a driver can do is to write a note. Place it on the dashboard of your car. Inform the authorities, and in this case, the local council that you have paid for the duration of the time for parking. As to whether the authorities will accept your explanation is left to be seen.

In most cases, I presume, your appeal will be upheld. However, you should accept the fact that you could be summoned for non payment of parking dues.

2) Tagging along a small child on which side should a child be tagged?

I have often seen parents, especially mothers tagging along a small child with them. Unfortunately, some parents tag a small child with them, but what surprises me are mothers who do not seem to know the correct manner of tagging along their children.

When my own grandmother was yet alive, she used to remind us that when tagging along a small child, we should always make it a point to hold the child or our younger sibling with our left hand.

In this way, our younger sibling will always be on the inner most side. This provides added protection to the young child. The mother, father or even brother, will be on the outside.

Should any unforeseen incident happen, the parents or brother will always be the first to absorb the impact of a vehicle hitting or knocking into them. Think about it carefully. You’ll surely understand the reason behind my asking you to always tag along your child with your left hand. In this way, your child would be in a safer inner side of the road.

3) Disembarking from a vehicle without switching the engine off.

As a driver, I’m uncertain if you are aware that dismounting from your vehicle without switching off your engine is an offense. Under the Road Transport Act 1987, Circular K14 RTR, disallows you doing it and under Section 119 (2), you can be fined a tune of RM300 for this.

Therefore, in future, should you feel the necessity to disembark from your vehicle, albeit for a short while, you are advised to switch off your engine first and engage your handbrakes as a safety precaution. Failing which you might likely be summoned for an offense which you most likely never anticipate to happen.

4) Laptops in J.P.J. and Road Transport Department roving surveillance vehicles can verify your driving particulars.

Are you aware that J.P.J. officials, while on their rounds, have laptops in their vehicles which can easily verify under whom the vehicle you are driving is registered?

They can even find out whether the vehicle you are driving has a valid road tax or otherwise.

Likewise, offices in the car can certify as the whether your driving license is valid or otherwise. That’s how sophisticated the authorities are with modern technology that they possess today.

5) Road blocks to be set up under the auspicies of a police inspector only.

If you, all this while felt that a road block can only be set up under the auspicies of a police inspector, then you are totally wrong. The assistant manager of my driving institute, a former J.P.J. official advised me recently that a police office of any rank can set up a road block if and when deemed necessary. With this experience and year of knowledge, I am certain what he advised me should be right.

Hopefully, all the above interesting yet important things I have divulged to you in this article will make you a better driver. At the same time, it is hoped you have found this article to be beneficial and at the same time interesting as well.

This blog on driving has been in existence a rather long time now.

To be exact, since April 2009. Of late, I feel I have been churning our articles that are not very interesting to readers.

Why do I feel this way?

When readers do not give good reviews, comments or encouraging remarks, how else then would a writer be expected to feel?

Today, therefore, I will attempt to write an interesting article for all readers. Hopefully, I shall succeed in my attempt.

Road users, in case you are unaware, include pedestrians, motorists and motorcyclists. There are in fact many things which, unfortunately many road users are unaware of. The following are 5 things Malaysian road users may not know:

1) The necessity to wear shoes when they are driving.

Many Malaysian drivers, include your sincerely, are very fond of wearing slippers when they drive. Slippers wearing is a habit amongst us. It is a cool and simple way to drive about.

But believe me, if you choose to wear such apparels when driving or riding a motorcycle, you will, I am certain, find yourself in deep trouble one day. Why do I say so?

Because wearing slippers is deemed dangerous! As a driving instructor for many years now, I should be aware of the Road Transport Department’s (R.T.D.) requirement that all my students wear shoes and certainly not slippers when they attend driving classes with me.

Touch wood, they say, until today, I have yet to be stopped by the R.T.D. for this offense yet.

What a big shock it was for me when a reader commented that new learners should wear slippers instead of shoes when learning how to drive. According to him, it seems a driver will then be able to have a better feel of the accelerator.

I wish to remind all readers, driving with slippers is against the law, not only in Malaysia, but I believe in many other countries all around the world as well. Anyway, if you should be stopped by the R.T.D. or J.P.J. authorities, please do remember, they will end up summoning you, and not me, the instructor.

To end this section on the danger of wearing slippers, especially when riding motorcycles, permit me to relate to you about an incident which involved myself riding my Suzuki 120 cc in my younger days.

One night, as I was attempting to put my bike on a one stand stance, stepping on its stand and heaving the bike back to put it on its stand, unfortunately the metal contraption hit my toe nail and almost ripped it off.

Intense bleeding of my toe together with the searing pain almost caused me to faint. If I had not been wearing slippers then, this unfortunate incident would not have happened.

2) Doing a U turn is not allowed.

Many drivers I’m certain, are not aware that doing a U turn is towns is not allowed. This is especially so, when many motorists make U turns at traffic light junctions.

Unless there is an arrow and a traffic sign that show a U turn is permitted, doing a U turn at such places is a traffic offense.

3) Standing in the middle of the road at double lines.

Some pedestrians are very fond of standing in the middle of busy roads while trying to cross busy roads.

Prior to this, pedestrians would stand on a divider as they wait for an opportunity to cross the road. This in fact is a dangerous move.

What pedestrians are advised to do is to first of all wait at the road shoulder should he or she intend to cross the road. Once a pedestrian discovers that oncoming cars a no longer approaching him, he can then proceed to cross the road safely.

So do remember, if you wish to cross a road, you are hereby advised to first of all stand on the road shoulder, observe traffic and ensure it is safe before finally crossing the road.

4) Drivers should put on headlights when it is night time.

Headlights or head lamps should be put on when night time arrives is something all drivers should be aware of. What signifies “night”? A solicitor friend of mine advises, night is considered as “half an hour after the sun legally sets”.

For instance, if the sun has set at 6:40 pm, then by 7:10 pm, a motorist should then be installing the lights of his car by that time. Failure to put on the lights of his car by then would constitutes an offense.

5) Refusal to pay tolls constitutes an offense.

It is uncertain whether as a motorist, you are aware that when you cross a toll collection booth, you have to pay toll. What will happen should you refuse to pay tolls?

Maybe you have reasons for it. Protesting perhaps with something you are not too happy about. Be it be known, that a person who refuses to pay tolls can be arrested by the authorities concerned.

I still remember very vividly, when the Opposition leader, the Honorable Lim Kit Siang, refused to pay tolls. The toll authorities finally called the cops who came to remove him.

As I read the article “Helpless as car burns” in Friday 4th June 2010 edition of the Star newspaper, I am indeed saddened that such an incident, that shouldn’t happen, has again, unfortunately happened.

When will drivers ever start to learn to realize that a vehicle, amongst other things, must have an emergency triangle. And most important of all, it must also have a fire extinguisher as well.

With the above in mind, I have written a number of articles prior to this regarding the necessity to have this important item in our cars. In reality, it’s of no use if car owners possess the latest models of cars costing over RM100,000 but does not have a fire extinguisher. Then the purpose of such expensive cars is defeated.

As a lecturer for the Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu (K.P.P.), or better known as the “Course for potential drivers”, I have time and time again stressed the importance of having a fire extinguisher in our cars that we drive. But very unfortunately, the above advice, I believe, must surely have fallen to deaf ears.

How many drivers, for that matter, have fire extinguishers in their cars?

As a father, and a lecturer for the above defensive driver’s course, I have made it a point to see to it that my son’s, daughter’s and even my wife’s car have fire extinguishers in them. All the above have also emergency triangles and cones too.

For your information, a cone painted white and orange in colour only costs approximately RM25 – RM28 and available from most hardware shops around.

Reflecting upon the latest intention of the Road Transport Department and the government as a whole to introduce a new driving curriculum for potential drivers or “P” drivers soon, the authorities should in fact postpone such ambitious plans and programmes.

What, readers may ask, is the use of attempting to put Malaysia’s driving standards on par with world driving standard for? Is that more important than attempting to save the life of a school girl who perish in the 3 am fire which took place at Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur a few days ago?

For readers’ consumption, in the above tragic incident, which involved a woman’s Perodua Myvi, a Toyota Vios and a lorry with 2 men inside, the Myvi was reported to have burst into flames. Frantic efforts by a passer-by, a Mr. Teo Chai Yong, 31, to save the occupant of the car was unfortunately hampered by the lack of a fire extinguisher.

It was further reported, that Mr. Teo’s efforts to obtain a fire extinguisher from a nearby petrol station was unsuccessful. Mr. Teo’s effort to even purchase the fire extinguisher from them was unfortunately turned down!

The workers of the petrol pump refusal to provide the fire extinguisher to Mr. Teo cannot be faulted. The workers, whom I assumed to be foreigners were in fact just following their bosses’ directives.

What’s to be faulted here is why did the lorry which was involved in the incident fail to possess the mandatory fire extinguishers which they were suppose to have?

If only the lorry referred to in this incident had the necessary fire extinguisher, I believe the student who was burnt to death would certainly not have died. She was most certainly have been alive today.

The question I would like to raise is why did the authorities fail to take action on the lorry in question for not possessing a fire extinguisher all this while?

This bring us to the question of inability of the authorities, namely the Road Transport Department, J.P.J, the police and the licensing board, being unable to enforce existing laws which exists in the country today. It’s pointless having all types of laws if these laws itself cannot be enforced.

The enforcement of laws, especially when it pertains to the question of fire extinguishers in commercial vehicles is sadly said to be ineffective. If enforcement had been effective, this tragic and unfortunate incidents would not have taken place.

The question of private and personal vehicles not having fire extinguishers is yet another important factor which the authorities should contemplate further. Would it not be possible to impose the regulation whereby the authorities insist that it is a compulsory requirement to have a fire extinguisher before a vehicle road tax is issued.

To end this sad episode regarding this incident, the authorities say the case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.

The interesting thing here is, who is to be charged for committing the above offense. Is it the driver of the Perodua Myvi, the Toyota Vios or the driver of the lorry?

Related articles:

1) Woman dies in fire as BHP staff refuse to loan fire extinguisher

2) Accident on Cheras-Kajang Highway (BHP Incident)

3) Girl Burnt To Death at Jalan Cheras-Kajang

There exists many reasons why foreigners regard Malaysians as the world worst drivers. If we should make an in depth study why we Malaysian drivers are regarded as such, some of the reasons must surely be:

1) Malaysian drivers possess poor discipline.

Poor discipline has time and again led motorists to ignore rules and regulations.

For example, even though faced with a red traffic light, there are some who choose to ignore it and beat the traffic light instead. The consequences of such actions have been time and time again reported to have been dire.

2) Some Malaysian drivers do not seem to respect traffic lights.

Again, due to poor discipline, drivers and motorcyclists tend to ignore traffic lights. Elsewhere in another article, I have gave examples whereby some motorists perpetually ignore traffic lights.

At traffic lights, observe carefully and you’ll discover 2 to 4 of those who are waiting at the traffic lights will eventually shoot off after waiting for quite some time. This indicates impatience.

Impatience at traffic lights is dangerous. Accidents can easily happen quite often. Motorists are advised to ponder carefully regarding this factor.

3) Overtaking on the left side of the road.

Overtaking on the left is not encouraged because it is dangerous. But Malaysian drivers seem to adopt this manner of driving. When tutoring students how to drive, I have time and again come across people who overtake on the left.

Just recently, an Indian motorcyclist overtook my female student suddenly on the left. I was shocked and appalled by what had happened. And the above motorcyclist had the audacity to raise his hand into the air as if in show of his disgust, when we nearly knocked into him.

In reality, the motorcyclist himself was at fault for overtaking on the left side in the first place. We were not at fault. It was the motorcyclist who was in reality at fault. He overtook us on the left!

4) Excessive speeding.

Although there is a national speed limit in Malaysia, nevertheless, this speed is unfortunately not followed too rigidly. For foreign readers consumption, trunk roads, for example, Klang to Kuala Lumpur, the maximum speed limit allowed is 80 km/h and 90 km/h. Expressways, which usually connects states, like the North-South expressways from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, for example, has a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h.

However, such speed limits are frequently not observed. A friend of mine, Jack, recently told me he drove a Perdana V6 going at 140 km/h. The above is only one classic example of people ignoring speed limits in the country.

5) Not stopping at junctions.

Many Malaysian drivers and motorcyclists have a tendency not to stop at junctions. More so when it is a junction where no traffic lights are installed. Even though there is a “stop, look, go” sign.

From observations made by me over a period of more than 40 years of tutoring students how to drive, I have arrived at a conclusion whereby most motorists come to a junction and straight away fail to stop at such junctions.

Due to impatience, drivers fail to stop. And instead of giving way to traffic, these drivers will instead shoot off straight into the road ahead and right into the path of on coming cars.

Such manner of driving can very easily cause accidents. If only all drivers, faithfully do their duty of stopping at junctions, then driving in Malaysia would be a dream and I am sure that the rate of accidents in our country would be greatly reduced.

6) Not wearing helmets as required by law.

Although there is a law which requires motorcyclists and its pillion riders to wear helmets, sad to note that especially in kampung areas or remote areas, people seem to ignore this ruling. Most motorcyclists do not bother to don helmets as required by the law. This has resulted in many deaths amongst motorcycle riders and its pillion.

The government on its part has launched many campaigns to encourage the public to use helmets. In one recent helmet campaign, a total of 135,000 Sirim approved helmets were given away to motorcyclists as an exchange for old and worn out helmets.

7) Failure to use indicators and signals when turning.

The use of signals and indicators when turning is essentially very important. What I have observed all these years is that Malaysian drivers and motorists fail to use these 2 items fully.

If only signals and indicators are used to its maximum capacity, then I feel that the number of accidents in the country can be easily be reduced.

8) Overtaking at double lines.

Overtaking at double lines is strictly disallowed. As such, no drivers should ever envisage to overtake at such places. Observations made by me over the years, surprisingly indicate that Malaysian drivers fail to adhere to this particular requirement.

Non adherence to this particular aspect of the law can go on to cause many accidents in our country.

9) Failure to stop at pedestrian crossings.

In Singapore, where failure to stop at pedestrian crossings is a serious violation of traffic laws, in Malaysia, unfortunately, motorists who choose not to stop at a pedestrian crossing are not dealt with as seriously as their counterparts in Singapore.

Unless and until Malaysian drivers are willing to change their mindset over giving way to pedestrian at pedestrian crossings, we will unfortunately continue to see violations at such crossings for a long time to come.

The above are 9 of the most common traffic violations committed by Malaysian drivers as well as motorcyclists.
These are violations observed by me over the years.

The Road Transport Department admits that a few things have gone wrong in our system. For one, poor enforcement unfortunately has to be said to be one of the causes. If enforcement had been effective, this will instill fear in motorists and they will not violate laws. This is why new learner drivers have to be educated accordingly so that they will become better drivers.

Another manner in which Malaysia drivers and motorcyclist can be trained as better drivers is through safety campaigns. Such campaigns must go on, even though they have been seen as not being effective enough.

Finally, the government wants those who are responsible for the above campaigns to be “people friendly” and accessible to the public.

I look forward to the launching of the new driving curriculum which will be introduced very shortly to the Malaysian public. Its aim as reiterated is a move to produce more law abiding, courteous and competent drivers as the P.M., Datuk Najib said himself.

Will our country succeed in our quest with the new driving curriculum? Even though it is believed “you are what you are”, nevertheless, an attempt can be made nonetheless. Who knows, anything can happen. We may very well succeed in our attempt!

When I first read the article entitled “New driving curriculum”, which appeared in the Star newspaper of the 30 June 2010, I was slightly apprehensive. In the above article, it is reported that the government will move towards steering learner drivers towards better driving habits.

The Road Transport Department, it is said, will introduce a new curriculum for learner drivers soon. It is meant to produce more law abiding, courteous and competent drivers, so said Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Very ambitious and noble aspirations, I would like to say. But before anyone gets carried away, let’s not forget one important thing. My language teachers used to advise us, “we cannot make mountains out of molehills”, he told us.

To readers who may be reading this article, there might be some who feel I maybe wrong, slightly sarcastic and unkind towards the authorities’ good intentions. But as I said earlier on, we have to be realistic.

Regarding the new curriculum, the Prime Minister said a study has been completed and the department was in the process of fine tuning it. However, no deadline has been given for the implementation of the new curriculum as yet.

Why has the Government felt it is necessary for such a new curriculum to be introduced? Datuk Najib said, there was a need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to reduce the number of road accidents and deaths which happen in Malaysia every year.

Earlier in his speech, the P.M. said some 6000 – 6500 people die in road accidents annually. As such, there was a need to implement a new curriculum for learner drivers based upon comprehensive and holistic approach.

With the new curriculum, the Road Transport Department hopes that it would put the country’s training programmes for drivers on par with international standards.

Speaking of losses incurred when accidents occur, the P.M. reiterated, accidents not only cause monetary losses to victims, but also emotional and distress to the next of kin and family.

Before we continue any further, let us first of all tackle the problem of the word holistic. Although educated in an English medium school right from Primary One days, I am shy to say, unfortunately, I do not fully understand its meaning.

So I took out the only dictionary I currently posses, which is a Kamus Dwibahasa by Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka, to try to find out its real meaning.

The word holistic wasn’t to be found. But studying the word “holy” carefully, I assume, to be holistic means to be fearful of something. To drivers, I assume, rightly or wrongly, that Malaysian drivers from henceforth are expected to be wary of rules and regulations. In short, to be more law abiding motorist.

As Datuk Najib said, the country hopes to have drivers who adhere to rules and regulations and are competent and most important of all, to be polite.

In my next article, I will compile 9 reasons why I think Malaysians are considered to be the worst drivers in the world. Stay tuned…

As a driving instructor for over 40 years now, it is my belief that I’m experienced enough to offer people some advice, especially on the subject of driving.

I became a driving school instructor at the age of 25. That was back in 1970. One thing I have always advised friends of mine not to do is, to ask friends or middle men or runners if you like, to settle fines or summons for them.

It does not matter whether it is a police summons or a J.P.J. summons. Unless of course, you can trust the person you are asking to help you. He is someone you can trust.

Having so many years of experience behind me, especially in the field of driving school and all other things pertaining to the driving school industry, you could say I have more or less seen it all.

Yes, I admit I have some friends in the police and the J.P.J. department. But what I am trying to imply is, can these people be trusted to settle the summons or fines for you? Experience tells me most people cannot be trusted.

A bah kut teh seller in town, whom I know, rather recently met and seeked my help to settle a traffic light summons on his behalf. The summons itself was no more than RM300. It was not a big amount.

The pork ribs soup seller, a Chinese boy of approximately 35 years of age, got a rude shock when I refused to help him settle his red traffic light summons. Why did I arrive at such a decision?

I emphatically told my friend that he should ideally settle the summons himself. Why did I make this suggestion? After all, the J.P.J. office was located at Kampung Jawa, hardly 2 – 5 kilometers from town.

By passing some RM300 to another person, who promises then to settle or pay the summons on his behalf, isn’t he taking the risk of having the middle man or friend not settling his summons at all? If this should happen, my friend would then find himself blacklisted by the J.P.J. authorities.

If the above friend took my advice, went to the J.P.J. office nearby to settle the summons himself, he will feel satisfied that his summons had been settled. He will in future not have to worry about being blacklisted at all!

Friends or runners have the intention to pay the summons we asked or request them to pay. They have good intentions, most of them do.

But human beings, being such, at times the money which you have given them to settle your summons with is inevidently used by them prior to settling your summons.

Therefore, when the time comes to pay up your summons, they are short of money. Thus your summons cannot be settled.

When they meet you the next time, they begin to give excuses. They eventually begin to tell you lies. But they actually do not intend to bluff or cheat you. But circumstances are such that they have no other alternatives. To protect themselves, they begin to give all forms of excuses.

A good friend of mine, a TV technician, a Mr. Ong P.Y. came to seek my assistance just recently. His eldest son, who took his driving license under myself a few years ago was blacklisted by the J.P.J. authorities.

Mr. Ong’s son was summoned by the J.P.J. one night while driving in Kuala Langat, near Banting. Mr. Ong’s son was unaware that one of his P stickers at the back of his car had fallen off. For this, the boy was summoned!

After receiving his summons, he gave RM300 to a friend to settle his summons for him. The friend of his, lost his summons. He did not pay his summons either. And Mr. Ong’s son also failed to attend court proceedings. Judgment was therefore made against him.

Recently, when Mr. Ong came to seek my assistance, I informed him that not only was his son blacklisted and could not now renew his driving license, his son now faced 2 summons. One for not settling his original summons. The other for not attending court.

It now looks as if Mr. Ong’s son could no longer driver for the time being. To help Mr. Ong and his son out of their predicament, what did I have to do?

I had to spend nearly a day at the J.P.J. office at Kampung Jawa to get a duplicate summons out in order to settle the outstanding summons. The summons had not been paid since 2005.

All’s well that ends well, so they say. Finally, the summons was paid. The lady clerk advised me that the blacklist on Mr. Ong’s son license would be lifted in half an hour after I had paid the outstanding summons.

To be on the safe side, I went home for lunch first. After lunch, I went back again to J.P.J. for the second time to pay or renew Mr. Ong’s son’s P license for a duration of 3 years.

I was successful in renewing it meaning the blacklisting had been lifted. What a big hassle it was!

The example which I have related regarding Mr. Ong’s case should be a lesson to one and all. Do not envisage to get someone or some friend to settle a summons for you. Take the trouble to visit the J.P.J. office or for that matter the police station, to pay up your own summons.

Do not try to trust anybody but yourself. Taking a day off to settle your summons yourself is worth the trouble after all. Think about it carefully. I’m certain you’ll agree with me.

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What is A.E.S.?

It means Automated Enforcement System. In short, it means the use of cameras to monitor the activities of traffic offenders, especially at traffic lights.

It is reported that Malaysia has the intention of achieving 1st world safety practices among road users in about 10 to 15 years.

To achieve this, Malaysia will have to introduce the A.E.S., beginning from May 2010. The system will be first introduced in Selangor and Perak initially. Nationwide implementation of this latest system to monitor traffic is said to be scheduled for September 2010.

What is the aim of A.E.S.? According to Road Safety Department, Director-General, Datuk Sureet Singh, the above system will be initially target 2 types of violations. They are violation of red traffic lights and speeding.

It is pointless to have stricter laws and harsher penalties. Unless of course traffic offenders are caught. Datuk Sureet Singh, went on to add, “increasing the probability of being caught with effective enforcement will deter road users from breaking the law.

How are 3rd world motorists like Malaysia, for example, be expected to change their mindset and behavior? This can be done by education and effective enforcement of the existing traffic laws.

Enforcement by police, and the J.P.J. authorities cannot cope with the volume of road users. Given this situation, the Perception of Being Caught (POBC) for a traffic offense has dropped to between 25% and 49% in recent years.

Road users, it is said, are now more daring to commit traffic offenses.

With the introduction of the A.E.S., the government hopes to raise the POBC to between 75% – 95% within 2 years implementation.

Malaysia’s road death fatalities rank 46th out of 172 countries, according to a survey conducted by the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) on Road Safety in 2009.

The W.H.O. says one way to control or reduce traffic offense was to control speeding.

Last year, Malaysia’s traffic accidents increased 5 fold, from 75,626 in 1989 to 39,330. This incidentally is an increase of 79%.

According to the department’s studies conducted, the major cause of road accidents was rampant speed violations. It is said to be responsible for 60% of road mishaps!

With the implementation of the latest A.E.S., first in Selangor and Perak, then in September the entire of Malaysia, hopefully accident will decrease.

Actions to curb reckless driving should both be severe and yet uncompromising, so said Datuk Sureet Singh, the Director-General of Road Safety Department.

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The Road Transport Department (R.T.D.) is today saddled with a whopping RM16.9 million unsettled summons.

These unsettled summons were said to be issued by the R.T.D., the police and the local council departments for various offenses.

A summons is issued to a driver who has broken the law. But if a summons is issued and it is not paid, then the issuance of the summons becomes pointless.

Summons, as we all know is intended to educate drivers. It is hoped that when such summons are issued, drivers will no longer go on to commit the same driving offenses again.

The R.T.D. unsettled issue of RM16.9 million has now become a problem to the government. Inability to collect such a big amount of deficit has now led the government to come up with an incentive.

The cabinet has approved a new scheme. Recently, it has been announced by the Director-General of the R.T.D., Datuk Solar bin Mat Hassan, that motorists from henceforth who receive traffic summons from the R.T.D., the police and local council enforcement officers will now receive the opportunity to settle such summons will get to pay lower fines should they choose to pay them earlier.

For readers information, summons which are currently issued to a driver or motorist have to be settled within a span of 30 days or 1 month’s time. After the expiry of such summons, then what happens? Legal action can then be instituted against you. The reality is, it is a hassle for the authorities to proceed such action against drivers.

The various departments mentioned above can institute legal action against you. They can in fact:

i) Haul you to court.

ii) Stop you at police and R.T.D. road blocks.

iii) Blacklist you in their computer records.

iv) Issue a warrant of arrest against you.

All the above steps take time. As the saying goes, “it is easier said than done”. Saying one thing is one, getting it done is another.

However, under a new scheme of which will be implemented soon, the Director-General of the R.T.D., Datuk Solat has been quoted to have announced, instead of giving blanket discount as incentives, like they do now for paying up outstanding summons, the enforcement authorities or agencies will now collect lower fines for them if they pay within a specified time allowed.

Permit me to explain to you how this system works. Take for instance, a motorist has been issued a traffic summons for RM70. Assuming a person has been caught driving without a valid driving license. Under the Road Transport Act 1987, this contravenes Section 26 (2). The Courts may suggest a fine of RM70.

If motorists should fail to settle the above violation within 2 weeks, then the amount summoned will be raised to RM100 if it is settled a months time. Therefore, the more one delays paying up his fine, the more one has to pay for his fine. Currently, the maximum fine is RM300.

The new payment scheme would be implemented once the Cabinet gave its nod to the proposed changes. Meanwhile, the R.T.D. is now working out the mechanics and the quantum of the scheme with the police and the other local councils.

Earlier it was reported as from 17th May 2010, police would no longer give discount to traffic offenders to pay their summonses. Motorists who are summoned are advised by the Director-General to pay up their dues as soon as possible to avoid paying higher penalties in the near future.

However, motorists should not construe the proposed changes as a means for the government to collect revenue. Summons are explained earlier issued to those who break the law.

Pertaining to another important matter, the Director-General, Datuk Solat will meet their Thai counterparts in Jitra, Kedah on Tuesday to trash out several outstanding issues which entails the entry of Thai registered vehicles coming into our country.

Datuk Solat reiterated, the meeting would focus on permits required by these vehicles being allowed in via the country’s 8 entry points which are located along the border.

Datuk Solat was also reported to have said that the department would also take steps to stop graft taking amongst its rank thereby enhancing the integrity of its officers by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) with the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission.

The M.O.U. above was set up to realize the objectives of the 2004 National Integrity Plan. Datuk Solar further said that his department was committed in its fight against corruption. To enhance integrity, programmes intended to implement this were left to 10 integrity officers who will incalculate integrity amongst their colleagues.