08/03/2026

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Motorists urged to be mindful of microsleep risk

‘Liaise with land, district offices on new tax rates’ GEORGE TOWN: Penang landowners have been advised to liaise with their respective land and district offices for clarification and submission of appeals if necessary regarding the 2026 Quit Rent (land tax) rates. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the advice also extends to elected representatives, particularly MPs and assemblymen, should they have queries. He added that Penang’s new quit rent rates are calculated based on four criteria – land classification (urban or rural), land area, current usage and applicable rate. “We are monitoring issues raised by affected landowners and will make improvements to both the implementation guidelines and quit rent appeals mechanism to help everyone adjust to the new system. “I will announce the outcome of appeal cases received by the District and Land Offices following the state executive council meeting next week.” He said in January, the state government set a nominal tax rate of RM50 per lot for all government and private schools. He also urged school management to update their land use classification at their respective land offices to qualify for the rate. – Bernama Book bigwigs gather to boost synergy KUALA LUMPUR: More than 300 players in the country’s book industry gathered at a breaking-of-fast event organised by Perbadanan Kota Buku in an effort to strengthen cooperation networks within the national book ecosystem. The event held on Friday was jointly organised with the National Book Council of Malaysia and attended by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. It brought together publishers, writers, educators, agencies under the Education Ministry and strategic industry partners. The organisation said the event served as a platform to appreciate the contributions of book industry players in strengthening the culture of knowledge and reading among the community. “As the leading body in developing the country’s book ecosystem, the organisation continues to strengthen its role through the digital transformation of publishing, the development of e-book and audiobook platforms, as well as industry capacity building programmes.” – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: An expert has urged Malaysians to pay closer attention to their food intake and sleep cycles, saying disruptions to these routines may increase the risk of microsleep among motorists. With World Sleep Day falling on March 13 this year during Ramadan, Malaysia Sleep Apnea Association president Prof Dr Louis Adaikalam said the overlapping of the global awareness day with the fasting month provides a timely opportunity to highlight the dangers of fatigue on the road. He said this is particularly important as many Malaysians regularly travel long distances between their hometowns and city centres during the Aidilfitri celebration. “World Sleep Day this year comes at the right time because it falls during Ramadan, when eating patterns and sleeping schedules change. “The possibility of individuals experiencing fatigue or microsleep episodes is higher during the fasting month because of these lifestyle adjustments,” Louis told theSun . Microsleep refers to a brief, involuntary episode of sleep that could last from a fraction of a second to several seconds. Although short, it could be extremely dangerous if it occurs while driving. Louis said fatigue and microsleep have become significant road safety concerns in Malaysia, adding that data from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) indicates that fatigue-related factors contribute to a sizeable portion of traffic crashes. Citing figures reported by Miros, he said almost 20% of crashes are caused Higher possibility of fatigue when driving while fasting due to meal, rest cycle changes Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Louis said incidents involving microsleep are often underreported because drivers may not realise that they briefly fell asleep behind the wheel. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

“When you speed, you are more likely to drive in a reckless manner. These are interconnected behaviours that may not appear clearly in the data. He also said drivers involved in crashes may be reluctant to admit that fatigue or microsleep played a role. “If someone admits they fell asleep while driving, it could be seen as negligence, which may affect insurance claims. So, many would instead blame mechanical issues or road conditions. Louis said while insufficient sleep is one of the main contributors to microsleep, it is not the only cause. “Microsleep is related to sleep, but it is not caused only by lack of sleep. “Certain medical conditions such as diabetes could also cause fatigue and increase the likelihood of microsleep episodes.” He said modern lifestyles also contribute to the problem as many individuals sacrifice rest in pursuit of productivity or income. “In the 21st century, many feel that 24 hours in a day is no longer enough. “Some may choose to continue working to earn extra income instead of getting adequate rest. But biologically, sleep is not optional. It is essential.”

by fatigue-related factors. “In other words, roughly one in every five accidents could be linked to fatigue or microsleep.” He also said incidents involving microsleep are often underreported because drivers may not realise that they briefly fell asleep behind the wheel. “This is one of the challenges when discussing microsleep. Individuals often want to rely entirely on data, asking how many cases there are or what percentage is affected. “But microsleep happens without the driver being aware of it. Many do not realise they have experienced it.” Louis said fatigue-related risks may also indirectly influence motorist behaviour, which could make it difficult to capture the problem accurately in crash statistics. “For example, when a driver feels sleepy or fatigued, they may drive faster because they want to reach their destination quickly before they fall asleep. “So, speeding could sometimes be linked to fatigue, although the statistics would only record it as speeding.” He added that similarly, fatigue could lead to dangerous driving.

Dangers of underestimating physical, mental toll of festive travel PETALING JAYA: With Aidilfitri approaching, motorists, especially first-time long-distance drivers, are being urged to prioritise sleep, proper nutrition and hydration before embarking on interstate journeys to their hometowns. Malaysia Sleep Apnea nine hours of sleep before starting their journey.” He said sufficient rest is a critical factor in preventing fatigue and microsleep episodes, which could occur when the brain briefly shuts down due to exhaustion. There are certain foods that could help maintain energy levels and reduce the likelihood of feeling sleepy.” He advised motorists to opt for foods that contain high fibre and complex carbohydrates, which release energy more steadily and help sustain alertness. “In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals tend to forget the importance of rest and proper sleep.

“Some drivers choose to start their journey at two or three in the morning because they think they could avoid congestion and reach their destination faster. “But those hours are normally meant for sleep. Driving during those periods increases the risk of fatigue and microsleep.” He said preparation, rest and awareness are key. “We want individuals to reach their destinations safely, not become another statistic on the road.” Millions of vehicles typically flood major highways across the country during festive seasons, often resulting in crawling traffic while also increasing the risk of reckless driving by inconsiderate motorists. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

“Everyone is rushing to complete tasks and move from one place to another, but sleep and rest are essential for safety.” He also cited cases in which drivers had complained of fatigue prior to crashes that caused the deaths of others, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. Louis emphasised that road safety is not merely about driving skills as many collisions stem from factors beyond basic driving ability. He also cautioned against the practice of starting journeys at odd hours in an attempt to avoid heavy traffic.

He added that drivers must ensure their bodies are hydrated before and during the journey. “They need to drink enough water. Hydration is important because when the body is properly hydrated, it helps reduce fatigue and prevents the feeling of lethargy. He also highlighted the role of nutrition, saying food intake could significantly influence a driver’s alertness on the road. “When we talk about sleep, we must also talk about food intake.

Association president Prof Dr Louis Adaikalam said many new drivers underestimate the physical and mental demands of festive travel, particularly when traffic congestion significantly extends travel time. “(Individuals) who are driving (long-distance) for the first time must understand that preparation is very important. “The first thing they must prioritise is sleep. They should ensure they get at least eight to

He also cautioned against the misconception that sugary drinks or energy beverages are able to keep drivers awake. “Many believe that drinking sugary drinks would give them sustained energy, but that is not accurate. “Such drinks may cause a temporary spike in energy, but once the sugar level drops, the person could become even more fatigued.”