01/10/2025

WEDNESDAY | OCT 1, 2025

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Update licence for Budi95 subsidy: Transport minister

Nine held over road bullying case KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested nine individuals, including six underage boys, over a road bullying case involving a group of motorcyclists and a car near the Batu 13 Toll Plaza in Puchong on Sunday. Serdang police chief ACP Muhamad Farid Ahmad said the suspects, aged 13 to 21, were detained around Puchong and Shah Alam on Sunday and Monday, with three motorcycles seized. He added that the suspects have been remanded for four days until Friday after being brought before the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court yesterday. A 52-year-old security guard lodged a report at 10.04pm on Sunday over the incident, which occurred about 4am the same day when the victim and a friend stopped near the toll plaza to make a phone call. “The victim drove off without responding when asked if they were police officers, but was later chased by the motorcyclists, who demanded he stop. His car was also kicked, causing damage.” The case is being investigated under Sections 279 and 427 of the Penal Code. Muhamad Farid urged the public to drive responsibly and report criminal activities to the police. A video of the incident has been widely circulated on social media, showing the victim’s car being surrounded by about 20 motorcyclists, with one rider seen punching the driver’s side window and kicking the door, forcing the victim to slow down. – Bernama

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

He said while these motorists technically hold valid licences, their records are stuck in the past, some still tied to old identity card numbers, police or military IDs. “Take a retired policeman, for example. If his licence still uses his police ID, the system will not recognise him. Only those with the

The impact killed 12-month-old Amir Husayn instantly after he was flung out of the car. Seven others were injured and rushed to the Kajang Hospital, Serdang Hospital and the KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital for treatment. The lorry driver, who jumped out moments before the collision, is now under investigation. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee collisions being the most common. Motorcyclists made up the largest group of fatalities. A 2022 study found only 31.9% of public and commercial vehicle operators complied with the Industry Code of Practice for Transport Safety. Compliance among lorry operators was the lowest at 4%. “These findings point to the urgent need for targeted measures on heavy vehicles, including stricter speed controls, GPS monitoring, improved road design and enhanced training and safety audits.” new 12-digit MyKad number are eligible.” He urged retirees and uniformed body personnel in particular to update their records at any Road Transport Department (RTD) branch, adding that that no fees would be charged. He also said the update cannot be done online, as a thumbprint is required for citizenship verification. “Don’t panic if you face issues at the pump. First, check the IC number on your licence,” he said, adding that the update takes about a week before the subsidy kicks in. Special RTD counters would be set up nationwide to fast-track the process, with data sent to the Finance Ministry and cross-checked with the National Registration Department. Loke said Malaysians working in Singapore who have Singapore licences but drive vehicles registered in Malaysia would also qualify. He also said the authorities would set up a mechanism to address this matter. However, he said he did not have the exact figure of how many Malaysians currently hold Singapore driving licences. Since the launch of the Budi95 subsidy on Sept 30, no major hiccups have been reported at petrol stations, although driving licence renewals have increased, from 17,000 a day to 27,000. The minister also revealed that 878,279 licence holders in Malaysia are non-citizens, who will now have to pay the market rate of RM2.60 per litre. “Previously, the government was subsidising petrol for nearly 900,000 foreigners. “With targeted subsidies, only Malaysians will benefit. This would save billions of ringgit annually.”

o ‘Records tied to old identity card numbers, police or military IDs not recognised by system’

PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke said yesterday about 70,000 Malaysians risk missing out on the subsidised RON95 petrol simply because they have not updated their driving licence details.

Loke said it would take approximately a week for the subsidy to take effect after a driving licence has been updated. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Road safety group probing lorry involved in toll crash

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdeskthesundaily.com

the Ministry mandates or encourages the use of child seats, many people complain. “But this incident proves their importance. The child was thrown from the vehicle and became trapped under another car.” The crash occurred when a lorry with faulty brakes ploughed into three other vehicles heading towards the Bukit Kajang toll plaza. Transport maintenance of heavy vehicles and better compliance with child restraint rules. “Road crashes could happen at any time, but many lives could be saved if vehicles are properly maintained, traffic laws are followed, and passenger safety is prioritised.” Past Miros studies show more than 1,000 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles occurred annually between 2011 and 2015, with more than 80% of victims being other road users. Most crashes happened on highways, with rear-end and side

between 2014 and 2023. Stressing the dangers posed by heavy vehicles, Miros highlighted that regular maintenance is critical for safety, particularly for commercial lorries operating frequently and carrying heavy loads. “Past studies by the institute showed that over 1,000 fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles occurred annually between 2011 and 2015, with more than 80% of deaths involving other road users.” Miros also said road safety must be reinforced on two fronts, proper

conducting a full technical assessment of the lorry, including its braking system to determine if mechanical failure or other factors were to blame. Miros is working closely with the police, the Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Agency to ensure a comprehensive investigation. The findings, it said, will help shape preventive measures. According to police data, eight children are killed on Malaysian roads every week, adding up to an average of 434 young lives lost annually

PETALING JAYA: The death of a one year-old toddler in a crash at the Bukit Kajang Toll Plaza on Sept 27 has renewed calls for stricter vehicle maintenance and tougher enforcement of child passenger safety. The collision, involving a lorry and three other vehicles, also left seven others injured. The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) said its Accident Investigation Team is

Loke stands by comment on importance of child safety seats PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has stood by his stance that child safety seats save lives in road accidents, despite criticism over his recent remarks following a fatal crash at the Bukit Kajang toll plaza. Loke’s earlier comments, seen by some as suggesting that a toddler’s death in the incident could have been prevented with a child seat, sparked debate online. “I stand by my position and want to remind everyone of the importance of child seats for children. “You could criticise me, but do not forget, if there are children in the car, please secure them in a child seat for their safety,” he told reporters at the Transport Ministry yesterday. “As a minister, whatever we do would be criticised, so I will be patient. If you want to criticise me, go ahead.” Loke said the ministry would continue pushing for wider use of child seats among Malaysians. “We will step up awareness campaigns.” On Monday, he revealed that preliminary findings showed the toddler killed in last Saturday’s multi-vehicle crash had not been secured in a child seat. “This is a reminder to everyone. When