30/04/2026

THURSDAY | APR 30, 2026

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‘AI traffic enforcement system needed to curb reckless driving’

Sabah attains 98% digital coverage as of February KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has achieved 98.7% internet and communications coverage in populated areas as of Feb 28, marking a significant improvement from 73.41% before the rollout of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela). Sabah Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib said the progress reflects the federal government’s continued commitment, together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to strengthening digital infrastructure across the country, particularly in Sabah. Under Jendela, 663 new telecommunications towers have been completed and are operational in Sabah, while all 5,304 existing transmitter stations have been upgraded. In addition, 335,254 premises now have access to fibre optic connectivity, while 138 locations are receiving internet services through satellite-based Broadband Wireless Access technology. James said the developments form part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure rural communities are not left behind in the digital economy. He was responding to a question from Alias Sani during the Sabah assembly sitting yesterday. He said for the Sekong constituency specifically, three new telecommunications towers have been completed and are operational, while 98 existing transmitter stations have been upgraded. He added that the government is also expanding collective internet access through the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) network. Nationwide, 1,099 Nadi centres are in operation, including 131 in Sabah. The Point of Presence project has also been expanded to improve broadband accessibility through the installation of fibre optic hubs near schools and industrial areas. Meanwhile, Sabah Assistant Minister of Works and Utilities Ruddy Awah said the state government is upgrading sewerage pipelines in Kota Kinabalu using Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology. The project, implemented under the Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Scheme Programme, allows for pipe rehabilitation without open excavation, minimising disruption to the public while improving long-term system efficiency. The CIPP method could extend the lifespan of sewer pipelines by about 50 years, making it a sustainable, efficient and cost-effective solution. He added that the Sabah Sewerage Services Department is also planning further asset upgrades under the 13th Malaysia Plan, including the use of CCTV robotic technology for pipe inspection and structural reinforcement. Responding to a question from Loi Kok Liang (Api-Api, Warisan), Ruddy added that one of the main causes of sewer blockages in urban areas is the improper disposal of rubbish and FOG (fats, oils and grease) into the sewerage system. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs a 24-hour, all-year-round AI-backed traffic enforcement system to deter reckless and dangerous driving, instead of relying on periodic operations that lose impact once they end, said Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh. Suret, who previously chaired the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research from 2019 to 2022, said enforcement must be strategic, continuous and backed by technology if authorities want to deter dangerous behaviour before lives are lost. “The current approach of enforcement based on operations is ineffective as it is not consistent for 365 days a year. “To be effective, enforcement should be heavily reliant on artificial intelligience (AI) so it can monitor and (detect) reckless drivers 365 days, 24 hours, seven days a week. “Effective year-round enforcement is key to deter reckless and dangerous behaviour on our roads,” he told theSun via WhatsApp. His remarks come as transport authorities have been expanding technology 242 health facilities to be built nationwide KUALA PILAH: The Works Ministry has been mandated to implement 242 health facility projects nationwide, at a total cost of RM21.3 billion. Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said these include 58 completed projects costing RM4.88 billion, 57 projects currently under construction valued at RM7.28 billion and 91 projects in the pre-construction or planning phase worth RM9.14 billion. “These projects, assigned to the ministry as the implementing agency, span various periods from the 11th Malaysia Plan through to the 13th Malaysia Plan,” he said after the handover of the Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Hospital’s (HTAN) additional block, which was officiated by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad on Wednesday. Ahmad added that the new block was built on a 4.18-acre site. The site was acquired on March 10, and the project reached full completion with the issuance of the Certificate of Practical Completion on Monday. On projects in Negeri Sembilan, he said under the ninth through 13th Malaysia plans, there were 13 projects, with a total cost of RM1.39 billion. This includes five projects in the planning stage costing RM234 million, seven in the construction phase valued at RM1.1 billion and one completed project worth RM32 million. He also said although the hospital additional block is now under the Health Ministry, the o Current procedure based on periodic manual operations not effective and unable to deliver 24-hour, all-year-round monitoring for violations, says road safety expert Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

measures such as checks near entertainment outlets, parking exits, highway entry points and other high-risk locations as proactive strategies to stop intoxicated motorists before entering major roads. However, he said while drink-driving is a serious offence, it should not dominate the road safety agenda at the expense of the larger pattern of deaths involving motorcyclists. “Bear in mind that DUI is not a major cause of deaths on our roads. (It represents) less than 1% of road deaths. “Of average daily deaths of 18 per day on our roads, 12 are deaths of young individuals, aged 25 and below, who rode small-cc vehicles in mixed traffic roads, and were knocked down by bigger vehicles. “This is our big road safety issue, the elephant in the room,” he said. Suret said the media and authorities should avoid focusing only on high-profile fatal cases before public attention fades. “The media play needs to move away from reactive to proactive awareness,” he said, adding that injured motorcyclists and daily road trauma should also be highlighted to improve rider and road user safety. “It is time to prevent reckless behaviour rather than reacting after fatal crashes, which is a loser’s game,” he said. Suret’s comments follow the fatal April 23 MEX Highway crash involving an e-hailing vehicle carrying Bangladeshi tourists and a car driven by a 31-year-old military officer. Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the remand for the car driver has been extended until today. He added that statements have been recorded from 12 witnesses, with the investigation paper to be completed and submitted to prosecutors.

based enforcement. On Jan 6 last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Automated Awareness Safety System cameras would be improved through point-to-point monitoring, which measures a vehicle’s average speed between two checkpoints instead of relying only on static cameras. The upgraded system has been reported to support wider automated detection, including mobile phone use and seatbelt violations, while use of drones and body-worn cameras by the Road Transport Deparment (RTD) has expanded real-time monitoring during operations. As of March 20 during Op Hari Raya Aidilfitri, RTD recorded 2,384 offences using the upgraded drones. Enforcement senior director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the drone detected offences mainly involved dangerous overtaking, emergency lane misuse and traffic light violations, with each category recording more than 500 cases. Suret added that the wider weakness was not the absence of action, but the lack of consistent and unified enforcement across agencies. “Enforcement effectiveness is very weak. A total overhaul is required. “It is time for a single traffic law enforcement agency. The current system is fragmented, so where does accountability sit... with RTD, police or local authorities?” On drink-driving, Suret said preventive measures should be strenghtened, including reducing the legal alcohol limit to zero, encouraging pubs to provide free non alcoholic drinks to designated drivers and intensifying community education against driving under the influence (DUI). He also supported targeted enforcement

Dzulkefly with Ahmad (right) at the event on Wednesday. – PIC COURTESY OF HEALTH MINISTRY FACEBOOK PAGE

remain responsive in addressing complaints or rectifying any defects during the period. Ahmad expressed hope that such projects would contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the people. – Bernama

contractor is still required to fulfill its obligations during the 24-month defect liability period as stipulated in the contract. He reminded contractors to perform scheduled preventive maintenance and to