Latest news with #SharifahHunaini
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Highway carnage and the broken pledge to make it safer
PUTRAJAYA: The recent bus crash in Gerik that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students has left the nation grieving, yet again raising pressing questions about transport safety that demand swift and decisive action. As someone with a younger brother studying away from home, I now feel a twinge of fear each time he boards the campus shuttle in Bestari Jaya, Selangor. Although it is just a short trip to the nearest train station where I wait to pick him up, the uncertainty still lingers. This latest tragedy cuts deep, especially for parents across Malaysia who now worry if their children will return safely from campus breaks. The recent crash occurred around 1.10 am on June 9 along KM53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, where a chartered bus carrying 42 UPSI students reportedly collided with a Perodua Alza before skidding off the road, hitting a barrier, and overturning. Thirteen students died at the scene while two others passed away in hospital. Thirty-three more individuals, including those in the MPV, were injured. What makes this incident even more alarming is that it occurred barely a month after another fatal crash in Teluk Intan, involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck, which killed nine policemen and injured several others. Two deadly crashes involving large vehicles within weeks of each other do not feel like mere coincidences. Instead, they point to a system in urgent need of overhaul. While both tragedies struck a deep emotional chord, the one that involved the students evoked my personal experience of a harrowing overnight bus ride from Manali to New Delhi, India. Although it took place almost a decade ago, I vividly remember it to date as the fear was so intense I messaged my family with final words. The dread of that night came rushing back upon hearing about the Gerik crash, especially after watching the dashcam footage, which showed the bus speeding and overtaking dangerously while descending a hilly and winding stretch of road. The East-West Highway has always had a reputation for being challenging, said one of my colleagues, Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail, 49, who sometimes uses the same route when she drives back to her hometown in Pasir Mas, Kelantan. But as a student of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), in Penang, slightly over two decades ago, the only mode of transportation was bus, she said, adding that she often carried note on her personal information, messages to her mother (father had since passed on) and siblings in case she doesn't make it safe to either destination. Sharifah Hunaini said the bus drivers were often ruthless and rides were a gamble between life and death. Apparently, things have not changed much or changed at all since then. The bus driver of the Gerik carnage is a 39-year-old man, who had 18 prior traffic summonses, mostly for speeding. The bus operator reportedly had also sublet its permit to another party and failed to activate its GPS tracking system during the journey. These are serious breaches of basic safety regulations. While the operator's licence has now been revoked, the case exposes glaring oversight failures and raises serious questions of how many others are getting away with similar violations. To date, a special investigation task force comprising MIROS, JPJ and APAD has been set up to examine the causes behind the crash. But, it shouldn't be another one-off investigation and once the dust settles, business as usual resumes. This time must be different. Several news reports citing the Global Burden of Disease 2024 Report stated that Malaysia had the second-highest road fatality rate among ASEAN nations in 2021. The country recorded 23.7 road deaths per 100,000 people, trailing Thailand, which topped the list at 29.7. Vietnam ranked third with a rate of 21.7. One person dies every two hours in road accidents in Malaysia, said the reports. This calls for stricter enforcement as well as vehicle maintenance, proper driver vetting and safe road planning re-evaluated with urgency. There are also other broader ideas worth considering. The Tourism Ministry's offer to reclaim oversight of tourism-related transport could make a difference, especially if it works closely with the Transport Ministry as it has unique needs and risks and a dedicated oversight body could offer more focused regulation. However, such a move must be executed with clear roles and coordination to avoid overlap or confusion. Public institutions should also have access to a centralised verification system. This would allow them to check whether a bus operator's permit is valid, whether the vehicle is roadworthy, and if the driver has a clean record. This transparency would place market pressure on companies to comply with safety standards. It is also time to make real-time GPS and speed monitoring mandatory for all chartered buses. Such technology already exists and is used by some operators, Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Road Safety Research Centre shared, adding that the challenge now lies more in cost and cooperation than feasibility. He believed that with government incentives and a phased rollout plan, this system can be widely adopted within a few years. Another potential safety measure would be to restrict bus travel during high-risk hours, especially on dangerous roads like the East-West Highway. This could be based on accident data, limiting travel during specific times while ensuring proper alternatives such as enforced rest breaks or daytime scheduling are in place. 'Three major reforms should be prioritised. First, all buses should be equipped with GPS and speed monitoring, overseen by a central authority. 'Second, permit allocation and enforcement must be streamlined through a transparent digital platform and third, drivers must undergo better training and follow strict protocols to manage fatigue. These steps would address weaknesses in both technology and human oversight,' Law said.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Barnama
Highway Carnage And The Broken Pledge To Make It Safer
As someone with a younger brother studying away from home, I now feel a twinge of fear each time he boards the campus shuttle in Bestari Jaya, Selangor. Although it is just a short trip to the nearest train station where I wait to pick him up, the uncertainty still lingers. PUTRAJAYA, June 17 (Bernama) -- The recent bus crash in Gerik that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students has left the nation grieving, yet again raising pressing questions about transport safety that demand swift and decisive action. Thirteen students died at the scene while two others passed away in hospital. Thirty-three more individuals, including those in the MPV, were injured. The recent crash occurred around 1.10 am on June 9 along KM53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, where a chartered bus carrying 42 UPSI students reportedly collided with a Perodua Alza before skidding off the road, hitting a barrier, and overturning. This latest tragedy cuts deep, especially for parents across Malaysia who now worry if their children will return safely from campus breaks. While both tragedies struck a deep emotional chord, the one that involved the students evoked my personal experience of a harrowing overnight bus ride from Manali to New Delhi, India. Two deadly crashes involving large vehicles within weeks of each other do not feel like mere coincidences. Instead, they point to a system in urgent need of overhaul. What makes this incident even more alarming is that it occurred barely a month after another fatal crash in Teluk Intan, involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck, which killed nine policemen and injured several others. Although it took place almost a decade ago, I vividly remember it to date as the fear was so intense I messaged my family with final words. The dread of that night came rushing back upon hearing about the Gerik crash, especially after watching the dashcam footage, which showed the bus speeding and overtaking dangerously while descending a hilly and winding stretch of road. The East-West Highway has always had a reputation for being challenging, said one of my colleagues, Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail, 49, who sometimes uses the same route when she drives back to her hometown in Pasir Mas, Kelantan. But as a student of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), in Penang, slightly over two decades ago, the only mode of transportation was bus, she said, adding that she often carried note on her personal information, messages to her mother (father had since passed on) and siblings in case she doesn't make it safe to either destination. Sharifah Hunaini said the bus drivers were often ruthless and rides were a gamble between life and death. Apparently, things have not changed much or changed at all since then. The bus driver of the Gerik carnage is a 39-year-old man, who had 18 prior traffic summonses, mostly for speeding. The bus operator reportedly had also sublet its permit to another party and failed to activate its GPS tracking system during the journey. These are serious breaches of basic safety regulations. While the operator's licence has now been revoked, the case exposes glaring oversight failures and raises serious questions of how many others are getting away with similar violations. To date, a special investigation task force comprising MIROS, JPJ and APAD has been set up to examine the causes behind the crash. But, it shouldn't be another one-off investigation and once the dust settles, business as usual resumes. This time must be different. Several news reports citing the Global Burden of Disease 2024 Report stated that Malaysia had the second-highest road fatality rate among ASEAN nations in 2021. The country recorded 23.7 road deaths per 100,000 people, trailing Thailand, which topped the list at 29.7. Vietnam ranked third with a rate of 21.7. One person dies every two hours in road accidents in Malaysia, said the reports. This calls for stricter enforcement as well as vehicle maintenance, proper driver vetting and safe road planning re-evaluated with urgency. There are also other broader ideas worth considering. The Tourism Ministry's offer to reclaim oversight of tourism-related transport could make a difference, especially if it works closely with the Transport Ministry as it has unique needs and risks and a dedicated oversight body could offer more focused regulation. However, such a move must be executed with clear roles and coordination to avoid overlap or confusion. Public institutions should also have access to a centralised verification system. This would allow them to check whether a bus operator's permit is valid, whether the vehicle is roadworthy, and if the driver has a clean record. This transparency would place market pressure on companies to comply with safety standards. It is also time to make real-time GPS and speed monitoring mandatory for all chartered buses. Such technology already exists and is used by some operators, Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Road Safety Research Centre shared, adding that the challenge now lies more in cost and cooperation than feasibility. He believed that with government incentives and a phased rollout plan, this system can be widely adopted within a few years. Another potential safety measure would be to restrict bus travel during high-risk hours, especially on dangerous roads like the East-West Highway. This could be based on accident data, limiting travel during specific times while ensuring proper alternatives such as enforced rest breaks or daytime scheduling are in place. 'Three major reforms should be prioritised. First, all buses should be equipped with GPS and speed monitoring, overseen by a central authority. 'Second, permit allocation and enforcement must be streamlined through a transparent digital platform and third, drivers must undergo better training and follow strict protocols to manage fatigue. These steps would address weaknesses in both technology and human oversight,' Law said. Safety in public transport must be a non-negotiable priority, not just a slogan. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Barnama
17-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
ASEAN Nations Taking Steps To Establish Monetary Fund, Strengthen Regional Financial Security
BUSINESS From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail KAZAN, (TATARSTAN), May 17 (Bernama) -- ASEAN countries are taking steps to revive the idea of creating their own monetary fund, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said that there is a need for transformation within ASEAN, particularly in the financial sector, and that the grouping is actively taking steps in this direction. "One example is the Chiang Mai Initiative, where central banks in the region collaborate and promote the use of local currencies, such as in current efforts with Thailand, Indonesia, and China, which are targeting 20 per cent of trade transactions in local currencies, representing billions of dollars. 'This shows that, where possible, we should proceed. Although the dollar remains the dominant currency globally, we can at least establish some form of reprieve to help mitigate risks and protect our national interests," Anwar said in an interview with TV BRICS. He was responding to a question on transformation among ASEAN countries, particularly in the financial sector, and his proposal to revive an Asian Monetary Fund as a buffer to shield the region from economic crises. The interview was conducted yesterday, during the final leg of his official visit to Kazan, Russia. Anwar began the first part of his four-day visit in Moscow on May 13. The prime minister also noted that Malaysia will host the ASEAN meeting at the end of this month, which will focus primarily on economic matters.
Barnama
16-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Stronger Malaysia-Russia Ties Not At Expense Of Others, Says PM Anwar
BUSINESS From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail KAZAN (Tatarstan) May 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that Malaysia's growing ties with Russia should not be seen as a zero-sum game, stressing that as an open trading nation, it is vital for the country to expand partnerships broadly to protect its economic interests. He stressed that strengthening relations with one country does not mean weakening ties with others, including the United States (US). 'It should not be seen as a matter of a zero-sum game. It should be complementary,' Anwar told reporters at the exit press conference at the end of his four-day official visit to Russia, when asked if close ties with Moscow would affect Malaysia's relations with other countries. His official visit here included meetings with President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and several industry leaders in Moscow and Kazan. In fact, as an open trading nation, Malaysia remains committed to expanding trade partnerships broadly and independently, as part of efforts to protect and promote national economic interests, said Anwar, who is also Finance Minister. 'Malaysia is a trading country. To protect our interests, we have to broaden and expand our market and trading partnerships,' he said. Malaysia continues to welcome American investments, citing recent discussions between Malaysian agencies and US counterparts. 'In fact, just last week, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices Inc) was there. There have been serious discussions to expand activities, and we certainly welcome that,' said the prime minister.
Barnama
16-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Islamic World Should strengthen Fundamentals, Starting With Economy
From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail KAZAN (Tatarstan), May 16 (Bernama) -- The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on the Islamic world to work together and strengthen its fundamentals, which begin with the economy, especially the halal industry that is worth US$3 trillion. From the Gulf countries, to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, we should then formalise and strengthen this cohesion, he said. 'Then, Islamic finance, not a matter of adopting just what you call as 'riba'-free, but to enter into new innovations so that it offers an alternative and economically viable for the Muslim world and also the participation of non-Muslims in our societies and non-Muslim countries,' said Anwar during the Plenary Session of the 16th International Economic Forum "Russia- Islamic World: KazanForum 2025'. Speaking in front of 2,500 participants from more than 100 countries, Anwar also touched on energy transition and digital transformation, and the need for the Muslim countries to embrace them. "Because after all, how do we honour, love, and follow the deeds of Muhammad, peace be upon him? Because of values and character. So the issue before us, for the young and for us, is to make sure that there is a difference. Family values are important,' he said. He once again emphasised how to address issues regarding the youth today, echoing his keynote address at the earlier session, urging scholars, intellectuals, and political leaders to take action. 'We have deliberated these issues a number of times, and I have suggested in the strategic meeting this morning that for the youth, we should follow up.
