23/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 23, 2025

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DRT van users express mixed experiences with service

Parents advised to bring children for

measles, rubella jabs GEORGE TOWN: Parents have been advised not to worry about bringing their children to get the Measles-Rubella (MR) Supplementary Immunisation, which is being conducted by the Penang State Health Department from Aug 4 to Oct 12. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Si Zen said the Measles Rubella Supplementary Immunisation Activity (MR SIA) is targeted at children aged six to 59 months or those born between Aug 1, 2020 and Jan 31, 2025. “Measles and rubella are highly contagious diseases and could cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), seizures and death. “Getting vaccinated is crucial for early protection and preventing the spread of these diseases, so I urge parents and guardians to bring their eligible children to receive the additional dose of the MR vaccine provided free of charge.” He said the initiative, which is coordinated with a national campaign, aims to increase herd immunity and support the goal of eliminating measles in Malaysia by 2030. Gooi added that national statistics showed a nearly two-fold increase in cases last year, with 3,791 cases compared with 2,002 cases in 2023, with three deaths reported in 2024 involving children who never received the measles vaccine. He also said 84 cases were recorded in Penang throughout 2024, an increase compared with 20 cases in 2023. He said 24 cases have been recorded this year, as of July 26, while analysis found that nearly half of the cases were due to incomplete immunisation status. “The department is targeting 65,500 children for the MR SIA programme in Penang, but as of Aug 19, only 19,600 of the target group received the additional immunisation, or 29.92%, which means that there are still many children who have not been given protection and efforts need to be intensified. “Slots can be booked via the MySejahtera application or by walking into government health clinics,” he said, adding that an outreach team would also be deployed to kindergartens, community centres and non-citizen settlements to ensure that no child is left out of getting the MR immunisation. – Bernama Predators spook fish at Lake Kenyir sanctuary KUALA TERENGGANU: Disturbances caused by predators have been identified as the factor behind the recent absence of fish at the Kelah Sanctuary in Lake Kenyir, according to the Central Terengganu Development Authority. In a statement yesterday, the agency said threats from predators such as otters made the fish less calm, prompting them to move away from areas popular with tourists. It added that the situation improved after preventive measures, continuous monitoring and intensive fish-habituation efforts were implemented to attract the fish back to the sanctuary. “Operations at the Kelah Sanctuary have been disrupted since Aug 18 due to predator disturbances, which have caused the wild mahseer or ikan kelah , to become less calm and avoid the area. “However, the agency has taken immediate action to ensure that the kelah population at the sanctuary and visitor comfort remain unaffected.” The agency also said that the Kelah Sanctuary at Lake Kenyir would be closed for three days from yesterday until Aug 24 for maintenance. – Bernama

o Concerns highlighted include location accessibility, arrival delays and payment inflexibility

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Users of the Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) vans, which also include senior citizens, have highlighted concerns about “unfriendly” accessibility, arrival delays and payment inflexibility. As the use of DRT vans grows in urban areas, commuters have praised its convenience but also voiced out mixed experiences on using the transport service. A 24-year-old from Subang Jaya, who declined to be named, claimed to have used the vans a few times a month. He said while the service was affordable, the multiple applications to book the service and their specific-location accessibilities left him puzzled. “In Subang, I use the Mobi app, though there are some areas that use Kummute. But in other areas, you need Kumpool or Trek. That is confusing. There should be a single app nationwide.” He also said the registration process, which requires uploading identity cards and photos, is overly technical, especially for the elderly. “Many elders do not have smartphones that can run these apps. Even some youths who are not tech savvy may struggle,” he said, adding that payment methods were too narrow. “It is heavily tied to Touch ’n Go. Debit and credit card options should already be standard. A card terminal in vans would make things much easier.” Student Sasmetasri Ram, 22, also claimed to rely on the service two to three times a week. She said the app she uses, Kummute, is convenient but inconsistent. “Sometimes the van takes longer than estimated, which is stressful if I have to catch a train. Once during peak hour, the wait stretched to almost an hour. I could not wait any longer, so I just booked a Grab instead.” She suggested a standard flat rate such as RM1 or RM2 for easier planning. Another student, Silvanus Raj John Winston, 21, uses the DRT vans daily in Kelana Jaya and echoed similar concerns.

Ku Jamil demonstrating the use of a special seat for wheelchair users and disabled persons. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

linked to the app. “If another person without a booking suddenly comes in and demands a ride, it throws off the schedule. The person who booked ends up waiting longer and the sequence gets disrupted.” Instead of relaxing the system, Rapid Bus is working on app updates to allow proxy bookings. “A child can book for a parent and the parent just waits at the pickup point. But the booking has to go through the system.” There are currently four applications to book the service; Rapid On-Demand, or location-based apps such as Kummute, Kumpool, Trek or Mobi. Rapid Bus operates 287 vans nationwide, with an average of 15,000 daily users, 13,000 in the Klang Valley and 2,000 in Penang. For long-term inclusivity efforts, Rapid Bus plans to roll out 300 more DRT vans and 100 additional Rapid Mobility vans for wheelchair users and disabled persons by 2027.

“The app I used for booking, Kumpool, works but delays during peak hours are frustrating. The system is not inclusive. “Public transport should be for everyone, not just the tech-savvy. A kiosk or phone-in system could help.” In response to growing concerns over accessibility and rigidity, Rapid Bus acting CEO Ku Jamil Zakaria said app-only bookings are essential for system efficiency and fairness. He acknowledged public concern about elderly access, but said cash or walk-in access would undermine the service structure. “Operationally, the driver already has a list of bookings to follow. If there is no booking through the system, how is the driver supposed to know who to pick up? “We cannot do things just by preference or feel. We hear all the feedback, of course, but the booking system is our foundation.” When asked about flexibility in payments, Ku Jamil said debit card and Touch ’n Go options are already in place, but must still be

DPM says 27 major rivers in Malaysia polluted KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said 27 out of 672 major rivers monitored nationwide in 2024 were found to be polluted. reach a safe level. “We want to ensure that river water is not only (suitable) for people to bathe and enjoy recreational activities but, most importantly, for consumption.” move to organise a workshop to outline the standards for drainage water discharge into river basins, involving various agencies, particularly the local authorities responsible for drainage management.

He said based on a report by the Environmental Department (DOE), of the 672 rivers, 475 were classified as clean, while another 170 fell into the moderately polluted category. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said the main pollutant parameters identified included biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen, total suspended solids and dissolved oxygen. “Overall, there are no rivers in the country at level five, which indicates severe (pollution), but several require attention to ensure they

He suggested that state governments adopt locally developed technology by Nahrim, including suspended load extractors, oil and grease traps using IoT technology and the Intriguard system for marking river reserves to prevent pollution from entering river basins. “The implementation of this step is expected to significantly improve river water quality, ensure environmental sustainability, safeguard public health and support the country’s economic development in addressing the challenges of climate change and global pollution.” – Bernama

He said this after chairing the Special Committee to Address Deterioration of River Water Quality meeting on Thursday. He added that the meeting proposed state authorities enforce new standards for urban and rural effluent discharges, based on a study by the National Water Research Institute (Nahrim). He said it covered 11 parameters, including pH, BOD, COD, suspended solids, oil and grease, nitrogen, mercury, colour and solid waste. Fadillah also said the meeting agreed with the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s