14/10/2025

TUESDAY | OCT 14, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Transparency, enforcement key to success of incentives

Speed limitation device shows promise: Expert PETALING JAYA: Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said Budget 2026’s transport incentives may promise safer roads, but without tougher enforcement and tighter regulations, they risk running out of steam. He said the government’s plan to offer incentives for installing Speed Limitation Devices (SLDs) in heavy vehicles could be one of the most effective ways to cut road fatalities. “Heavy vehicles cause many serious crashes due to their bulk and power. A crash at 80km/h is far more severe than one at 60km/h. SLDs tackle this by limiting top speed,” he told theSun . He said lower speeds directly translate to fewer deaths and serious injuries. “Physics proves that slower speeds mean safer outcomes. “A platoon of heavy vehicles with limiters also promotes steadier traffic flow and curbs aggressive driving behaviour.” He added that public transport subsidies such as the My50 travel pass indirectly improve road safety by reducing private vehicle use, but the SLD scheme targets one of the most dangerous causes of crashes, excessive speed. However, he also said that good intentions alone are not enough. He said the matching grant for older vehicle owners could backfire if it encourages people to hold on to unsafe cars, suggesting instead a “Scrappage for Safety” scheme to ensure old vehicles are deregistered and recycled rather than resold. On the SLD initiative, Law said tampering and weak enforcement could undermine the credibility of the programme. He urged the government to require certified installations, annual inspections and strict penalties to maintain device integrity. He also said slower trucks could lead to congestion or unsafe overtaking by impatient drivers, adding that that driver education and anti-tailgating enforcement must complement the scheme. “As for taxi incentives, tax exemptions alone will not raise safety standards unless tied to mandatory safety courses, regular inspections or electronic fare meters.” To strengthen the safety impact of the incentives, he proposed tax breaks for taxi owners be conditional on accredited defensive driving courses. “Such training would improve driver behaviour, encourage adherence to traffic laws and enhance passenger safety.” He also urged the government to use anonymised SLD data for evidence-based road safety planning. “Analysing this data could reveal high-risk routes for heavy vehicles, allowing authorities to make targeted improvements such as better signage, rumble strips or rest stops.” He added that technology-driven insights could help policymakers allocate resources more effectively, particularly on highways with heavy freight traffic. Law said Budget 2026 reflects a positive direction but still lacks the regulatory muscle needed for lasting change. “Incentives could encourage voluntary compliance, but they alone cannot sustain long-term improvements in road safety. “The government is thinking along the right lines, but to turn these carrots into real change, we need the sticks too; proper regulations and consistent enforcement.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh

o Safeguards crucial to maintain integrity of road safety schemes, says group

owners and cargo consignors accountable for unsafe practices. To strengthen transparency, he proposed creating a National Road Safety Dashboard, published quarterly to track limiter installations, enforcement actions, blackspot improvements and crash trends. “Transparency drives accountability and accountability drives real progress.” While describing Budget 2026 as “a step in the right direction”, Wan Md Hazlin said the balance between incentives, regulation and enforcement still leans heavily on goodwill. “Incentives alone will not change behaviour. They must be tied to consistent enforcement and transparent reporting.” He urged the Road Transport Department and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research to focus enforcement and random depot checks on the top 10% to 15% of high-crash routes. “For chronic speeding or tampering cases, penalties should escalate beyond drivers to fleet operators.” He said Malaysia is finally investing in a safer, fairer transport system aligned with MY Mobility Vision’s data-led safety goals. “Hopefully, we will see slower heavy vehicles, brighter roads and more affordable public transport. “Real progress is not about how much we spend, but what we save; the lives, the minutes and the peace of mind on our roads.”

He said without proper safeguards, some operators might install devices only to meet requirements, adding that tamper-proof limiters, random audits and verified data are therefore crucial to maintain integrity. “Tax exemptions for taxi operators should be tied to regular inspections and driver training.” He said stable funding for fare subsidies is vital to prevent maintenance lapses that could endanger passengers. Wan Md Hazlin recommended making the speed limiter initiative data-driven, requiring certified installations, tamper-evident seals and regular telematics uploads to verify compliance, to ensure lasting results. “Tax benefits should only be awarded after 12 to 24 months of verified data showing the device is working as intended.” He also proposed that all vehicle renewal or scrappage incentives be conditional on verified deregistration of unsafe vehicles and replacement with safer models. “No scrappage money until the old vehicle is deregistered and the new one meets safety and emissions standards.” For the taxi sector, he suggested linking tax exemptions to successful Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre checks and completion of refresher driving courses. He further recommended Malaysia adopt a “Chain of Responsibility” model, similar to Australia’s, to hold not just drivers, but also fleet

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: MY Mobility Vision CEO Wan Md Hazlin Agyl Wan Hassan said Budget 2026’s transport incentives may steer Malaysia toward safer and more sustainable mobility, but their success hinges on transparency, data accountability and consistent enforcement. He said the plan to incentivise the installation of speed limiters in heavy vehicles could improve road safety if properly installed, tamper proof and monitored, as it addresses two key crash causes, speed and fatigue. He also welcomed continued fare caps and subsidies such as My50 for keeping public transport affordable and reducing congestion, but added that measures such as vehicle renewal grants and taxi tax relief must go beyond paperwork. “The grant system must reward genuine safety improvements, not just compliance on paper,” he said, urging that incentives prioritise older, higher-risk vehicles.

Mara Liner express bus driver Shahrul Azdmin, 36, inspects his vehicle before embarking on a long distance drive. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Aerotrain maintains 99% service availability since relaunch KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the KLIA Aerotrain has maintained a 99.19% service availability rate since its relaunch on July 1. signalling systems are in the early adjustment phase towards full operational stability,” he said during the question-and-answer session.

total of 19 service disruptions were recorded. He added that apart from technical issues, several incidents were caused by passengers attempting to forcibly open the train doors. In response to a supplementary question from Khairil Nizam on penalties for service lapses, Hasbi said operators could face fines of up to RM190,000 a month if they fail to meet operational performance standards. – Bernama

He was responding to Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin, who asked about the reasons for the past maintenance failures of the Aerotrain and the government’s immediate steps to ensure smooth and safe passenger service at KLIA. Hasbi said between July 2 and Sept 30, a

He said as of Oct 8, the Aerotrain had transported 5.33 million passengers and covered 39,942km. “The project is currently under a two-year defect liability period. Its mechanical and