15/10/2025

WEDNESDAY | OCT 15, 2025

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Enforcement drive on road safety launched

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

zone, operating in seven-day cycles. The crackdown will focus on hot spots where heavy vehicles exceed legal load limits. High-risk cargo includes rocks, sand, soil, silica, coal, iron, palm oil and logs mostly transported for quarrying, port and industrial activities. Loke warned that no exemptions or compromises would be given to violators. “The department will not tolerate any driver, owner or transport company that neglects public safety or causes road damage and accidents through overloading.” As part of efforts to improve transparency and professionalism, the ministry will equip department enforcement officers with 100 body-worn cameras (BWC) starting November. The RM2.3 million initiative aims to strengthen integrity and accountability through evidence-based enforcement. “All field operations will be recorded, reviewed and monitored. This reflects the department’s commitment to carry out enforcement firmly and with high integrity, in line with the Madani government’s vision to build public trust in enforcement agencies.” Loke said the BWC initiative, which has been discussed for years, is finally being implemented following budget approval. A second phase will eventually see all department enforcement personnel equipped with cameras during field operations. “Department officers involved in special operations, especially on overloading issues, must wear these cameras as they face significant risks,” he said at a press conference after the department assembly and anti-corruption pledge ceremony here yesterday. He added that some officers are also issued pistols for self-protection during enforcement

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that Malaysia was not among the countries invited to the recent International Peace Summit for Gaza as the meeting was limited to nations that gave full support to a 20-point peace plan, which Malaysia could not endorse unconditionally. He said Malaysia’s position remains one of support with reservation as the plan fails to include key principles, such as recognition of Palestinian statehood, the right of return for displaced Palestinians and an end to the occupation and violence in the West Bank. “I have read the 20 points. None of them address Palestinian statehood, occupation or the violence by Zionist forces in the West Bank,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Anwar said while Malaysia’s stance is conditional, even Hamas has conveyed in a letter to him that it supports the ceasefire proposal to stop the destruction and killing of civilians, despite disagreeing with parts of the plan. He said most countries attending the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt have given full support to the peace plan, while Malaysia and a few others maintain conditional backing. He added that Malaysia’s position is consistent with other Islamic nations, stressing that while the peace initiative, including that proposed by US President Donald Trump, was welcome, it must lead to a comprehensive solution that stops the killing of civilians and ensures long-term peace. PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry has launched a nationwide enforcement drive to strengthen road safety and compliance, targeting high-risk transport operators and overloaded commercial vehicles. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the move reflects the ministry’s commitment to firm, transparent and technology-driven enforcement in line with the Road Transport Act 1987. Under a new administrative framework, the Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Land Public Transport Agency would intensify action against repeat offenders. Companies that repeatedly violate road transport regulations will not only face fines but also risk having their permits or operating licences suspended or revoked. “This measure is aimed at ending the attitude of some operators who treat traffic summonses as part of their operational cost. It also ensures every company takes full responsibility for road safety and compliance.” The initiative follows findings from a Special Inspection and Safety Audit conducted between June 23 and July 31, which found that 54.43% of 500 high-risk operator companies had failed to comply with safety regulations. The findings were described as “serious and systemic”. The ministry and department have also launched a “War on Overloaded Commercial Vehicles” to address unsafe practices among truck operators and drivers. The integrated enforcement operation, running from yesterday to Dec 31, will cover five major zones, namely the north, central, south, east and Borneo. Each state will deploy four enforcement teams, totalling 12 active teams per Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Loke speaking at a press conference after the RTD assembly and anti-corruption pledge ceremony at the Transport Ministry yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

duties as they often face aggressive individuals or touts who attempt to intimidate department personnel. Loke expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a catalyst for transforming the department’s enforcement culture, increasing public confidence in its transparency, and strengthening governance and accountability within the public service. “This measure underscores the department’s stance to carry out enforcement duties firmly, professionally and with high integrity. It aligns with the Madani government’s aspiration to strengthen governance and public trust in enforcement agencies.”

Special tax relief aims to boost local tourism KUALA LUMPUR: The special individual income tax relief of up to RM1,000, as announced under Budget 2026, is part of the government’s efforts to encourage Malaysians to travel within the country in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this would not only invigorate the domestic tourism sector, but also stimulate local economic activity. He said the initiative could help rebalance the trend of outbound tourism, which has increased following the strengthening of the ringgit. “Due to the strengthening of the ringgit, there are side effects as more Malaysians are travelling overseas to places such as Thailand, Japan and Indonesia. As such, we are introducing additional measures to boost domestic tourism by providing a tax exemption of up to RM1,000 for spending within the country,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He was replying to a supplementary question from Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) regarding the recent exodus of nearly 200,000 Malaysians to Thailand and spending around RM50 million there recently. Anwar, who is also finance minister, expressed concern over the high cost of domestic tourism, including the cost of accommodation and food at popular destinations, such as Langkawi. He said the matter is being reviewed following discussions between the second finance minister and Kedah menteri besar to seek ways to address the issue. On VM2026 promotional efforts, Anwar said 70% of it would be implemented digitally and the remaining conventionally. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has also held engagement sessions with industry players, including airline companies, to increase flight frequency, he added. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Malaysia a major Islamic tourism and economic hub, in line with the global recognition of the country’s strength in the fields of syariah -compliant finance and tourism. “Six Islamic countries have proposed that Malaysia take the lead in efforts to enhance Islamic financial programmes, instruments and the economy, and integrate them with tourism. “I agree that this matter should be reviewed and I will ask the ministry to give priority to the development of more Muslim-friendly tourism programmes, namely more family-friendly and free from elements of haram ,” he said. He also said several Islamic countries have implemented Islamic tourism programmes to attract more tourists. – Bernama

‘Why M’sia did not attend Gaza peace summit’

o PM: 20-point plan fails to include recognition of statehood, right of return for displaced Palestinians

“Even during the colonial era, anyone who raised the Union Jack was considered a traitor. “The same principle applies here regarding the Israeli flag,” he said. Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Paya Besar MP Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah, who asked about the government’s stance on public displays of the Israeli flag following reports of a gathering involving a vessel carrying Israeli symbols. He said the government fully supports the police’s swift action in the recent case, describing it as a necessary reminder of Malaysia’s consistent position in defending the Palestinian cause. Last Friday, more than 1,000 boats joined an 8km convoy in support of Palestine, but the event drew controversy after one vessel was seen flying Israeli flags, with participants acting as Israeli forces and carrying “detainees” on board. Organisers later clarified that the scene was intended as a re-enactment of the Global Sumud Flotilla incident, not an act of support for Israel. Event director Khairul Hafiz Hassan said the simulation was meant to depict the real-life experiences faced by humanitarian activists, adding that there was no intention to glorify Israel. He has since apologised for the use of the Israeli flag.

“The situation in Gaza is dire, with people on the brink of starvation. Based on these considerations, we will join any initiative aimed at achieving peace.” Anwar said the recent talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, hosted by Egypt under the joint chairmanship of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Trump, showed efforts towards an immediate ceasefire. He said Hamas sent him a letter dated Oct 7 reaffirming its commitment to peace negotiations under the Trump peace initiative, while stressing the need for a comprehensive resolution that upholds international law. “The priority is to stop all attacks and allow humanitarian aid, such as food, water and medicine, to reach Gaza,” he said, adding that as of yesterday, only 167 aid trucks have entered the enclave despite earlier promises of 600. On another matter, Anwar stressed that there is no excuse for displaying the Israeli flag or Hebrew writing in Malaysia, saying such acts go against national policy and public sentiment. He said firm police action was justified in light of a recent video, that was widely shared, showing a car bearing a Hebrew sticker, which sparked public anger. He added that such behaviour must not be tolerated. “As for the Hebrew writing incident that offended the public and went against national policy, yes, that is wrong, regardless of intent.