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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
20-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Anwar Positions Malaysia, ASEAN As Leading Voices Of Global South
BUSINESS By Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- As chair of ASEAN, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is clearly asserting Malaysia's position – and that of the regional grouping – as key players in the Global South and a rising force to be reckoned with, demanding a global shift from the dominance of bipolarity to equitable power-sharing through multipolarity. Throughout his visits from South America to Southeast Asia, and most recently to Russia, the Prime Minister's clear message has been for deeper South-South collaboration to consolidate economic and political influence, enabling these nations to carve out their own destinies rather than be dictated to by the North or developed countries. Anwar's call for a stronger Global South is therefore timely, as emerging economies grow in stature and influence, seeking a greater say in shaping the global economic and political agenda. Given that the Global South represents 85 per cent of the world's population and accounts for more than 40 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) – a share that is only expanding – its call for equity is highly justified. As part of this strategy, Malaysia is now one of the nine partner countries in BRICS, an informal grouping of emerging economies. Its membership is fast expanding from the original five – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates became official members in 2024, giving the grouping greater clout in undertaking economic initiatives. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that the other driving force behind Malaysia's Global South push is the principle of a shared future – a concept that has been well received by fellow leaders. Speaking to Malaysian media during his recent visit to Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister said Malaysia is – and will continue to be – focused on broadening its regional and global partnerships amid rising geopolitical realignments.
Barnama
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Meeting With Putin Main Agenda Of PM Anwar's Second-Day Russia Visit
From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail MOSCOW, May 14 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, marking the main agenda on the second day of his official visit to Russia. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Kremlin, starting at 1 pm local time (6 pm Malaysian time). Both leaders are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues and explore potential areas of collaboration between Malaysia and Russia, including trade, investment, agriculture and agri-commodities, education, aerospace, and energy. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest. In addition, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Mishustin, for another bilateral discussion. Anwar is also slated to receive a courtesy call from the Grand Mufti of the Russian Federation, Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, who is also the chairman of the Russian Religious Board of Muslims. Leading a delegation of over 70 officials, Anwar arrived here yesterday to begin his four-day visit to Russia at the invitation of Putin. The Prime Minister was welcomed with an Honorary Guard of Honour upon landing at Vnukovo-2 International Airport at 6.26 pm local time (11.26 pm Malaysia time). The Malaysian delegation includes Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Li Kang; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Must Seize Opportunities To Be Explored In Russia
From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail MOSCOW, May 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must be prepared to seize emerging opportunities in trade and cooperation, particularly if geopolitical tensions between Russia and the United States ease in the future, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said. He said Russia presents vast untapped opportunities due to its diverse resources and technological strengths, including in agriculture and other sectors. 'Malaysia and Russia have long-standing relations, but they haven't flourished as much as they could have due to unilateral sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States,' he said. 'There is much potential here, and we must be ready to explore these opportunities. Should US-Russia relations improve, we need to be positioned to benefit from it. 'Washington's current approach differs from (administrations) before, and I believe if ties normalise, Malaysia stands to gain significantly,' he said when speaking at a dinner with Malaysians in Russia on Tuesday. The dinner event was held in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Russia, which began on Tuesday. Also present were Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang; Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. In his speech, Mohamad also encouraged Malaysian students in Russia to uphold the nation's good name and return to contribute to Malaysia, particularly in critical sectors such as medicine and engineering upon completing their studies.
