Latest news with #AllianceforaSafeCommunity
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Lee Lam Thye calls for enhanced measures to combat arms smuggling
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent spate of violent crimes, including two fatal shootings in the nation's capital that claimed three lives in just a few days, has sparked serious concern among Malaysians over public safety and security, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said while these incidents are believed to be isolated and do not suggest a broader threat to the city's overall safety, they have nonetheless drawn attention to a critical national issue — arms smuggling through Malaysia's porous borders. "In response, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, who is retiring as Inspector-General of Police, has issued a directive to tighten border control measures. "We welcome this move and fully support the IGP's initiative and urge swift implementation of the enhanced security measures,' he said when contacted on Friday (June 20). Lee said that while no country is entirely free of crime, the presence of illegal firearms and the ease with which they may be brought into the country must be addressed decisively. "As long as criminal tendencies exist, crime will persist. What matters is how effectively we respond,' he said. Building on the IGP's directive, Lee proposed several key strategies to bolster national security, including the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies. "The use of drones, thermal imaging, and other advanced tools at the nation's borders is needed to detect and deter smuggling activities. "The authorities should also enhance collaboration with Malaysia's northern neighbour, including joint patrols and intelligence sharing to intercept illicit arms trafficking," he lamented. Additionally, Lee also called for a review of existing laws to close loopholes related to arms smuggling, along with harsher penalties for offenders. "Furthermore, initiatives to educate the public on the dangers of arms smuggling and to encourage reporting of suspicious activities must be increased," he added.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Rampant drug, vape use by youth become crisis, demands urgent action
KUALA LUMPUR: The worsening issue of drug abuse and rampant vape usage among Malaysian youths is no longer a fringe issue but has escalated into a national crisis, said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. He warned that the dangers of drugs and vaping, particularly products laced with narcotics, cannot be overstated, as both have become gateways to addiction, mental health deterioration, school dropouts, criminal behaviour, and, in some cases, irreversible health damage or even death. 'When our youths, who are the future of this nation, fall prey to these threats, the very fabric of our society is at risk,' he said in a statement here today. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed alarm over the rising trend of drug and vape abuse among youths, particularly Malay youths, urging a comprehensive solution involving various approaches, including counselling and dakwah (religious outreach). Lee stressed that the time for awareness campaigns alone has passed, emphasising the need for firm, visible, and results-oriented action, including stricter enforcement against the sale and distribution of vape products, especially those targeted at children and teenagers, which should include regular raids and surveillance of online platforms and retail outlets. 'Mandatory certification and regulation of all vaping devices and liquids, including clear labelling and health warnings, must be implemented. Additionally, all illegal and non-compliant products must be banned and seized,' he said. He also called for stricter laws and penalties for those who produce, import, or sell vape liquids containing banned substances or market them to minors, stressing that enforcement efforts must be complemented by early intervention and rehabilitation programmes for students and young adults caught with drugs or illegal vape products. Other than that, Lee said a whole-of-society approach, including schools, parents, religious institutions, civil society, and the media, to create a culture that actively rejects drugs and vaping. 'Failure to act now will have grave long-term consequences, and the country will continue to see rising numbers of youths succumbing to addiction,' he said. Meanwhile, Rural Consumers and Ecology Association of Malaysia (RURAL Malaysia) secretary-general Anuar Mahmod urged the government to reinstate the Generational End Game (GEG) provision in the 2023 Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill to safeguard future generations. He said the government must resist all forms of pressure from tobacco and vape industry lobbyists and protect rural youth, who remain the most vulnerable and least shielded in this crisis. 'This is not just about legislation. This is about making history, about saving a generation from a lifelong addiction that begins with a single puff. RURAL Malaysia stands firmly with the people. We will not back down. We must win,' he said.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- The Sun
Strict action on errant heavy vehicle drivers must be fully enforced
KUALA LUMPUR: The Alliance for a Safe Community commended the government's decision to establish a comprehensive database of errant drivers, calling it a crucial step in ensuring those with a record of serious traffic offences are barred from driving public or heavy transport vehicles. Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, however, urged that the database be made operational without delay and that it include offences such as reckless driving, speeding, substance abuse, dangerous overtaking, or causing fatalities. 'Such a database should have been initiated earlier. Drivers with repeated or severe offences should be immediately disqualified from driving heavy vehicles. Safety must come before employment,' he said in a statement today. Lee also urged the government to conduct a thorough audit and screening of all current heavy vehicle drivers, including bus drivers, to ensure that no individual with a bad driving record is allowed to continue operating on the road. 'The safety of the public should never be compromised by leniency or bureaucratic delay,' he remarked. In addition to stricter enforcement on drivers, the alliance also called for transport companies to be held accountable under corporate liability provisions. Lee, who is also a member of the Road Safety Council, stated that employers who continue to engage known errant drivers must face severe penalties. 'There should be corporate liability provisions in place, so that transport operators are directly responsible for verifying the competence, training, and track record of their drivers. 'The recent Gerik bus crash tragedy would not have happened if the errant bus driver and the bus had been taken off the road through strong and uncompromising enforcement with integrity,' he said. Lee said that no matter how good the policies are, they will fail without consistent and effective enforcement, including random and routine spot checks, increased use of dashcams and telematics, black box systems and strict rest hour regulations. 'We can not afford to wait until the next horrific accident makes headlines. The time to act is now. 'We call on all stakeholders, including enforcement agencies, the Transport Ministry, commercial vehicle companies and drivers themselves, to work together to make our roads safer for everyone,' he added. In the recent tragedy on June 9, a chartered bus carrying 42 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, crashed with a Perodua Alza and overturned, resulting in the deaths of 15 students.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- The Sun
Lee Lam Thye Urges Swift Action on Errant Driver Database
KUALA LUMPUR: The Alliance for a Safe Community commended the government's decision to establish a comprehensive database of errant drivers, calling it a crucial step in ensuring those with a record of serious traffic offences are barred from driving public or heavy transport vehicles. Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, however, urged that the database be made operational without delay and that it include offences such as reckless driving, speeding, substance abuse, dangerous overtaking, or causing fatalities. 'Such a database should have been initiated earlier. Drivers with repeated or severe offences should be immediately disqualified from driving heavy vehicles. Safety must come before employment,' he said in a statement today. Lee also urged the government to conduct a thorough audit and screening of all current heavy vehicle drivers, including bus drivers, to ensure that no individual with a bad driving record is allowed to continue operating on the road. 'The safety of the public should never be compromised by leniency or bureaucratic delay,' he remarked. In addition to stricter enforcement on drivers, the alliance also called for transport companies to be held accountable under corporate liability provisions. Lee, who is also a member of the Road Safety Council, stated that employers who continue to engage known errant drivers must face severe penalties. 'There should be corporate liability provisions in place, so that transport operators are directly responsible for verifying the competence, training, and track record of their drivers. 'The recent Gerik bus crash tragedy would not have happened if the errant bus driver and the bus had been taken off the road through strong and uncompromising enforcement with integrity,' he said. Lee said that no matter how good the policies are, they will fail without consistent and effective enforcement, including random and routine spot checks, increased use of dashcams and telematics, black box systems and strict rest hour regulations. 'We can not afford to wait until the next horrific accident makes headlines. The time to act is now. 'We call on all stakeholders, including enforcement agencies, the Transport Ministry, commercial vehicle companies and drivers themselves, to work together to make our roads safer for everyone,' he added. In the recent tragedy on June 9, a chartered bus carrying 42 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, crashed with a Perodua Alza and overturned, resulting in the deaths of 15 students.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Experts urge stricter seat belt enforcement after fatal bus accident
KUALA LUMPUR: The tragedy that claimed the lives of 15 students at Km53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, early Monday morning, highlights lapses in law enforcement and the careless attitude of some public transport operators who appear to take passenger safety for granted. Although it was made mandatory in 2020 for new express buses and sightseeing buses to install seat belts for all passengers, after almost five years, the regulation appears to be largely ineffective, with little to no real impact. Although a thorough investigation into the tragic incident is underway by a newly established special task force, experts also view the failure to enforce existing laws as a serious concern, highlighting the urgent need to improve passenger safety. Commenting on this, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said many buses still do not comply with the seat belt requirement. "When an accident occurs, passengers are thrown out of the bus due to not wearing seat belts. This demonstrates the careless attitude of public transport operators, who appear to disregard the safety of passengers. "So I see this issue involving the failure to enforce the law. It is very important to implement and enforce measures to reduce the impact of fatal accidents," he told Bernama. Meanwhile, Malaysian Road and Transport Safety Association president Md Hairolazaman Muhamed Nor said his organisation also emphasised the importance of monitoring seat belt installation in all buses. "This action will encourage more bus operators to follow the regulations set by the Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) Safety Training and the Road Transport Department," he said. Hairolazaman said the installation of a Global Positioning System (GPS) and cameras installed in buses can monitor passenger compliance with seat belt usage throughout the journey. Sharing the same view, Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said bus operators can no longer take lightly the provision of seat belts in passenger seats. "It is mandatory to have a seat belt in every seat in the bus. So the parties involved must find a way to ensure that passengers use the seat belt, for example, a seat belt with an 'alarm'. "If not worn (the seat belt), it will sound and warn the bus driver to ensure that passengers comply with the rules," he explained. In the accident that occurred between 12.30 and 1am, 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) died after the chartered bus they were travelling in from Jertih to Tanjung Malim, Perak overturned after being involved in an accident with a multi-purpose vehicle. The accident also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver and attendant, as well as the driver and three passengers of a Perodua Alza. – BERNAMA
