The tragic road accident that took away lives of nine of Malaysia’s uniformed personnel on 13 May is a bitter reminder for drastic changes in the way we mind our roads and its safety.
Perak police chief Noor Hisam Nordin has rightly described the incident as a “profound loss not only for the FRU [Federal Reserve Unit] but for the entire police force”.
For decades, netizens and the media have called out to the authorities to increase road safety and discipline standards in the country.
Follow-up investigations over this most painful loss of the FRU officers have identified the same old issues of the lorry driver having “multiple prior criminal records”, including “drug-related offences” and several “summons”.
It would seem that we have failed to tackle the problem, ie the combination of unsafe conditions and poor enforcement and monitoring of drivers and vehicles.
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Many who have expressed shock and anger over the accident also ask if we will ever ban drug abusers and law breakers from being stealthily employed by transport company owners?
Will the transport company owners be absolved from any wrongdoing or will it only be the drivers who will be solely held accountable by the authorities?
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is reported to have “instructed the relevant authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation into the tragic accident”.
It is time for us to review the system to have firmer and sterner enforcement on the management and monitoring of road users, their ability and qualification to drive, as well as other matters pertaining to road conditions and safety issues. These reforms are long overdue.
Our road accident statistics do not lie.
If we cannot enforce a simple law to ban drug users, those indulging in road rage and those breaking the law by being behind the wheels, we will not be able to make any significant changes. We can only expect more national loss and painful tragedies.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
