In an earlier article written pertaining to traffic offenses which drivers may have committed against the Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 (A.P.J.), some of the offenses have been highlighted for your perusal.

In this article, I will again highlight 10 other offenses, albeit lesser important ones, which many drivers might not be aware of. The list is as follow.

1) Brake Not Functioning.

Many drivers may not be aware, but brakes not functioning represent an offense. Should you be involved in a serious accident, you can be rest assured that the Road Transport Authorities will require your vehicle to be sent for a checkup to determine the condition of your brakes.

Circular K.15 (9) MV (C/U) LN 170/59, that makes it mandatory for a vehicle’s brakes to be checked. Under Section 119 (2), an offender can be fined a sum of RM300.

2) Allowing passengers to alight or ascend a vehicle and in the process hampers traffic flow.

I am rather certain this is one offense many drivers are unaware of. In allowing passengers to alight, or for that matter ascend a vehicle, the driver should see to it his vehicle is parked close to the side of the road shoulder. Failure to do this will via Circular K16RTR get the driver a summons for RM200. The court, under Section 119 (2), can impose for the above sum to be enacted upon you.

3) Beating a traffic light.

This is a very common traffic offense committed by many drivers. Making a mention to it again is not a waste of time. Under Circular K17 and 18 TS (LN 167/59) cites a driver committing an offense. Again Section 119 (2) allows the court authorities to impose a fine of RM300 on you.

4) Side doors and back doors of a vehicle not being closed tightly.

This action is considered dangerous action committed by a driver. As such, a driver driving a car in such a condition can under Circular K22 RTR, charge a driver. And under Section 119 (2) again, a driver is likely to receive a RM300 fine for it.

5) Motorcycles not fitted with handle bar mirrors.

Not having both the right and the left handle bar mirrors is an offense in Malaysia. Action by the authorities on motorcycles is provided for by Circular 21 MV (C/U). The court judge can under Section 119 (2) can fine a motorcyclist a sum of RM100 for the offense.

6) Wipers which are not functioning.

I remember, a Datsun 120Y used for tutoring students way back in the 1970s was found to have infringed Circular 23 MV (C/U), and under Section 119 (2) of the R.T.O. 1987. I received a J.P.J. summons of RM150.

7) Horn not functioning well.

Are you aware that if during a road block, the authorities, be it the Police or J.P.J., should find that your car horns are not functioning, Circular K24 MV (C/U) can get you charged under Section 119 (2) for a sum of RM150.

8) Indicator or signals not working.

Indicators and signals should always be in working condition. The above not working is obviously an offense as Circular K25 (MV (C/U) says very vividly that you have contravene a traffic offense. Do you know that the court can very well imposed a RM150 fine on you?

9) Brake lights not functioning.

Circular 26 MV (C/U) says clearly that a driver has committed a traffic offense. And under Section 119 (2), a driver is liable to be fined a sum of RM150. All these are sad but nonetheless true.

10) No mud flaps on vehicle.

A car that is not fitted by mud flaps has committed an offense and the driver can likely be fined as much as RM150. Circular K31 MV (C/U) allows a driver to be cited for an offense. Section 119 (2) says you can be fined a sum of RM150 for it.

10 seem to be a rather nice figure. As such, I feel that it should stop temporarily for the time being, as too many examples may lead to some readers getting bored. Until that next time around, drive carefully!

Sebagai seorang rakyat Malaysia, saya sentiasa menyaksikan bahawa sesuatu projek ataupun rancangan yang di umumkan oleh pihak kerajaan, biasanya tidak terjadi di laksanakan pada tarikh yang di tetapkan.

Tetapi, para pembaca blog ini, janganlah mudah merasa hampa. Izinkan saya memberitahu anda semua sesuatu berita yang baik juga. Sistem Penerbangan Malaysia (M.A.S.), pesawat-pesawatnya tiba di lapangan terbang antarabangsa di Kuala Lumpur International Airport (K.L.I.A.) dari London, New York ataupun San Franciso tepat pada masa jadualnya.

Tetapi, sayang sekali, sepertimana yang saya umumkan sebentar tadi, perkara-perkara lain pula, yang hendak di laksanakan oleh pihak kerajaan sentiasanya lewat di laksanakan.

Mari kita ambil contoh pembinaan fly-over atau jejambat di Klang umpamanya. Di jangka oleh si kontrator, jejambat tertera akan selesai di bina 2 tahun yang sudah, iaitu pada 2009 rasanya. Sampai hari ini, belum siap lagi.

Kesesakan lalu-lintas yang di hadapi oleh penghuni-penghuni Bandar di Raja Klang ini tidak dapat di kira. Hendak menyeberang Sungai Klang, dari Utara ke Selatan Klang mengambil masa berjam-jam pula. Jalan berdekatan “Little India”, tiap hari tersumbat dengan kenderaan-kenderaan 24 jam sehari.

Nampaknya, orang-orang bandar Klang, nasib mereka malangnya sekali. Izinkan saya, sebagai seorang “citizen” bandar terkenal ini memberitahu tuan-puan yang sedang membaca artikal ini kerana takut para pembaca mungkin tidak tahu.

Klang, pada suatu dulu di kenali sebagai bandar gagak. Pernah saya teringat, ada yang mengesyorkan bandar tersebut di panggil Bandar Gagak. Kenapa di buat demikian? Akibat kekotoran, sampah-sarap di dapati di sana-sini, maka pihak Inggeris pada zaman 1880an, memperkenalkan gagak-gagak dari benua India ke pelusuk rantau Malaysia.

Burung-burung gagak ini membantu pekerja-pekerja Majlis Perbandarn Klang (M.P.K.) jalankan tugas membersihkan bandar Klang yang kotor. Tetapi, bandar yang sudah berusir lebih 100 tahun kini telah banyak berubah. M.P.K. telah menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik. Bandar Klang boleh di katakana bersih dan cantik.

Pada pendapat saya, Klang lebih bersih daripada Petaling Jaya. Sekiranya tidak percaya cakapan saya ini, cubalah tuan-tuan dan puan-puan lihat traffic light berhadapan Hotel Hilton, Petaling Jaya, perkarangan tepi jalan, saya rasa tidak di ambil peduli oleh pihak M.B.P.J. atau Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya.

Selain masalah kesesakan jalan di bandar Klang, bandar ini pada masa dulu, terkenal sebagai di penuhi dengan penjahat-penjahat mahupun gangster-gangster satu ketika dahulu. Masa itu, O.C.P.D. Kulasingam berkhidmat. Tetapi, mujurnya semua ini telah berubah.

Tetapi masalah kesesakan jalan yang berlaku setiap hari di bandar Klang nampaknya belum dapat di selesaikan. Pihak kontraktor sekarang sedang sibuk siang-malam menyediakan roundabout ataupun bulatan di bawah jejambat. Sedikit masa lagi, penduduk-penduduk Klang akan merasa lega dengan perjalanan apabila jejambat itu siap di bina.

Sebenarnya, masalah-masalah yang saya mengutarakan adalah bermaksud memberitahu bahawa, Bank Negara telah mengumumkan berita sedih, iaitu skim insurans terbaru terpaksa di lambatkan perlancarannya. Ini di sebabkan pihak Bank Negara di katakana hendak menentukan bahawa pelan insurans parti ketiga, berlaku adil kepada semua pihak. Jadi terpaksa di tangguhkan implementasinya buat sementara waktu.

Skim tersebut di atas sebenarnya di jangka akan di lancar pada permulaan awal tahun 2011. Mengikut Bank Negara, memandangkan perlu hendaklah di buat perbincangan perkara-perkara yang belum di selesaikan lagi, maka skim tersebut di atas terpaksa di lewatkan pelancarannya.

Bank Negara juga telah memberitahu bahawa ianya kini dalam proses mengutip tindak-tindak balas daripada orang ramai serta badan-badan yang berkaitan.

Tambahanpula, Bank Negara juga berpendapat bahawa ia sepatutnya berunding dengan Bar Council serta mana-mana pertubuhan atau persatuaan yang berminat dalam hal ini. Walaupun telah di laporkan bahawa cadangan-cadangan yang siap ada akan di serahkan kepada Kementerian Kewangan pada awal bulan Julai 2010, namum demikian oleh kerana terdapatnya beberapa kemuskilan telah berbangkit, maka pihak Bank Negara berpendapat elok ianya berbincang semula dengan semua pihak terlebih dulu demi menentukan bahawa semua masalah dapat di pertimbangkan.

Yang terutama, Bank Negara amat khuatir tentang masalah bagaimana tuntuan-tuntutan hendak di jalankan sebelum ianya di serlahkan kepada pihak kerajaan.

Pihak Bank Negara juga di laporkan sudahpun menerima beberapa maklumat daripada pertubujan-pertubuhan negara asing, yang kononnya mempunyai pengalaman mengendalikan skim-skim yang serupa demikian, khasnya dari negara Australia dan Amerika Syarikat.

Kemungkinan para pembaca akan menanya, apakah skim insurans yang terbaru akan melindungi?

Jawapan kepada soalan yang tertera di atas adalah, ianya akan melindungi kecederaan parti ketiga serta soalan kematian atau Third Party Bodily Injuries and Death (TPBID).

Sudahpun, sebagai pembaca blog ini, pasti anda telahpun terbaca karangan-karangan sebelum ini tentang tajuk-tajuk yang sama. Terlebih dari ini, blog ini telahpun memberitahu para pembaca iaitu sebuah syarikat terbaru, Newco yang terdiri daripada perkongsian pihak swasta dan kerajaan akan di tubuh tidak lama kemudian.

Antara syarat-syarat skim baru insurans parti ketiga adalah:

i) Liabilitinya adalah RM2 juta.

ii) Tuntutannya akan mengambil tempoh 2 hingga 4 minggu.

Tentang penubuhan Newco, beberapa kumpulan swasta, seperti persatuaan-persatuan, Bar Council sendiri serta persatuan-persatuan kurang bersetuju cara-cara syarikat Newco di tubuhkan.

Nampaknya, syarikat ini yang akan di tubuhkan dengan wang rakyat ataupun kerajaan tidak di persetujui oleh sesetengah pihak.

National Consumer Complaints Centre (N.C.C.C.), CEOnya Encik Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah berkata, sebenarnya pentadbiran Newco sepatutnya di kendalikan oleh sebuah perbadanan statutory seumpama Sosco.

Kesemuanya di atas mungkin berbangkit kerana segala tuntutan akan memakan jangka masa yang lama. Ini di katakana akan menyusahkan orang-orang yang membuat tuntutan itu yang sediakala mengalami kerumitan.

Memandangkan bahawa banyak lagi masalah-masalah yang belum lagi di selesaikan, maka skim insurans terbaru itu numpaknya tidak dapat di lancar lagi. Oleh yang demikian, pembaca-pembaca serta pemilik-pemilik kenderaan lama di minta bersabar buat seketika lagi. Kemungkinan pada peringkat awal tahun 2011, barulah kita dapat menikmati hasilnya.

Our nation has been independent since 1957.

That is a total of almost 53 years. After so many years, our country has unfortunately not moved an inch closer to the solidarity we wish for. After being free and independent for so long a period, it is indeed sad that the concept of 1Malaysia has yet to be propagated.

The people of Perak are being threatened by the Ipoh Municipal Chairman, Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim, to fly the Malaysian flag at their business premises in conjunction with the forthcoming National Day or Merdeka Celebration this 31st August.

Patriotism and love for the country cannot be forced. It must come from within. From deep in our hearts. Believe it or not, you either love your country or you do not.

Insensitive decisions made by leaders of our nation today, unfortunately go a long way to promote ill will amongst the citizens of our country. The warning of the Datuk Bandar of Ipoh has met with much criticisms from the public and all Malaysians as a whole, the Perak Local Government Committee Chairman, Datuk Dr. Mah Hang Soon, has informed the public a retraction of the ruling by Datuk Roshidi has been made.

Datuk Mah said, trying to implement a ruling by the Ipoh Municipal council will not go down well with the people. It is not the way to get the people to show their love and patriotism for our country.

The Datuk Bandar, for your information, has even warned traders and businessmen that they will be fined, their business licenses suspended and blacklisted, if they failed to fly the Malaysian flag.

And recently, we hear of another leader of our country, a principal, a Pengetua or a Headmistress of a large school, which is supposed to inculculate “patriotism” and love for our beloved country, making uncalled comments to her pupils, a multi-racial assembly of young minds.

The above principal, unfortunately, has gone on to make racist remarks against non-Malay students. The Police are currently making their investigations into the serious matter.

The lady principal, in doing what she did is likened to a popular Malay proverb, “Seperti ketam menyuruh anaknya berjalan betul”. How can a leader, a Guru Besar, a Pengetua lead our young if she herself is of such a character, a racist, a chauvinist, be chosen as a leader of our multi racial community which Malaysia is made up of?

The Education Department has informed us public, the principal has gone on leave voluntarily. It would be better and more appropriate for the lady principal involved to have handed in her resignation letter immediately.

In my opinion, schools and educationists throughout the nation, do not require her services. We must always remember, no one is indispensable. Good riddance to bad rubbish, as the saying goes.

It is said, both sides of the parliamentary divide have criticized the principal involved, a school in Kulai Jaya, Johor for her insensitive remarks while launching National Day celebration recently.

Public opinion says, it was unbecoming for a principal to make such remarks. They recommend stern disciplinary action be taken against her.

Pertaining to this case, M.C.A. deputy publicity bureau chief, Mr. Loh Seng Kok, has made the suggestion that the Education Ministry incorporate the 1Malaysia concept in teacher training. In fact, if not mistaken, the above concept is already in the syllabus itself. The M.C.A. feels the principal, who made the remarks to her pupils, should be severely disciplined as she holds a leadership position in our society.

M.I.C. Secretary General Datuk T. Rajagopalu however says he sees no reason for the principal uttering such racialistic remarks, especially when Merdeka Celebrations are just around the corner. Insensitive remarks especially with the national celebrations approaching are beyond one’s comprehension.

Furthermore, her audience comprises the younger generation and our future electorates. With her comments, it looks likely as if the 1Malaysia concept has been sabotaged.

The M.I.C., it is believed, will support M.C.A. president call, that the principal who describes her non-Malay students of her school as penumpang or passengers in the country, be given a desk job and to receive counseling courses as well. It the above should happen, shame on her!

Meanwhile, Gerakan education and bureau chairman Mr. Lau Chin Hoon, has demanded a public apology from the principal for making such degoratory remarks to her pupils. He continued by saying, some form of deterrent penalty should be imposed. He urged the authorities to take steps to prevent such situations from worsening.

The best amongst the suggestions, I feel comes from the D.A.P. adviser, Mr. Lim Kit Siang.

I concur with Mr. Lim’s stern and no nonsense approach. Sack the principal for making such racist remarks. We cannot and must not tolerate such remarks in a multi-racial country such as ours. Our existence as a nation, in fact rests upon it.

As a parting shot, this article would like to state, “The severest disciplinary action must be taken against the principal, who is unfit to be in the education service of a multi-racial society.

As a teacher of driving school students, I am embarrassed of the lady principal. You do not deserve to be called a Cikgu at all! No Malaysian can forgive you for your utterances! You have let us all down badly. It augurs poorly for the concept of 1Malaysia which the nation’s leaders are trying to hard to achieve.