18/06/2026

THURSDAY | JUNE 18, 2026

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E-hailing platforms must share safety burden too: NGO

‘Rise in building material costs under control’ KUCHING: The increase in the cost of construction materials following the global energy crisis and disruptions to the world’s supply chain is still at a manageable level. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said contractors are still able to absorb the cost increase and continue with projects without any delays. “The situation is still within a manageable level and does not require additional allocations. “However, we will continue to monitor the situation. If there is a sudden price increase, we have a strategy to deal with it,” he told reporters yesterday. Nanta said the Works Ministry, together with the Construction Industry Development Board, has conducted a study on the impact of the crisis on the construction industry and presented the results of the study to the National Economic Action Council. He said the study included short-term and long-term strategies to deal with any economic impact, especially those involving the supply chain and the cost of construction materials. “We need to understand that the construction sector is one of the engines of the country’s economic growth. If projects are postponed, the economy could be affected because the allocations provided are not spent in the construction sector. “For this reason, the government has decided to continue with existing projects despite the price increase because it is still at a manageable level.” – Bernama

processes for drivers and passengers, enhanced identity verification, efficient complaint management systems, rapid emergency response procedures and consistent enforcement against all parties when necessary.” Rizal urged policymakers and industry stakeholders to move away from what he described as a “culture of crisis management”, in which reforms are introduced only after high-profile incidents. “In principle, the group supports any initiative that can enhance the safety of passengers and drivers. “However, this discussion must be approached in a holistic, balanced and forward-looking manner that addresses root causes rather than merely responding to symptoms.” He added that under the spirit of Malaysia’s Gig Workers Act 2025, digital platforms must be held more accountable for the safety and welfare of the workers who generate value for their businesses. “Safety is not a cost. Safety is an investment. And that investment must be shared fairly among all parties that benefit from this industry,” he noted. He said GEM will continue pushing for a more balanced framework for gig workers. “Our objective is not merely to assign blame when incidents occur, but to also ensure a safer, fairer and more sustainable system for the future of gig work in Malaysia.”

Its deputy director Dr Tun Maizura Mohd Fathullah said the country’s blood donation rate stands at 2.3%, equivalent to 23 donors for every 1,000 people. “We need to raise public awareness so that this rate can reach at least 3%, or 30 donors for every 1,000 people. “This increase is important to meet the needs of thalassaemia patients, surgical cases, women in childbirth and crash victims who require an immediate blood supply.” She was speaking after receiving a contribution of 2,250 blood bags through the UiTM Cares Grand Blood Donation Campaign at Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor, Universiti Teknologi Mara here on Tuesday. Maizura said blood stocks at the National Blood Centre remain sufficient at present, but collections must be carried out continuously due to consistent demand and the limited shelf life of blood components. “Platelets can only be stored for five days while red blood cells have a storage period of between 35 and said, adding that installation and maintenance costs for any mandatory camera system should be borne by platform operators or supported through subsidies. Rizal said drivers face significant safety risks, including verbal and physical abuse, robbery, fraud, intoxicated passengers, account misuse and vandalism. “Many incidents go unreported because drivers perceive reporting procedures as cumbersome or believe that little action will be taken. “For this reason, Gabungan eHailing Malaysia believes safety must be viewed as a shared responsibility rather than an issue of individual driver conduct.” He said safety issues in the e-hailing sector are long-standing, stressing that drivers have repeatedly raised concerns through formal engagements with ministries and relevant agencies, often without sustained follow-through. “Unfortunately, many of these concerns only receive serious attention after incidents occur and public pressure mounts.” He highlighted that any in-car camera system must be governed by strict privacy safeguards, including clear rules on data storage, access and usage, as well as oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse. However, he said cameras alone are insufficient to address deeper structural problems in the industry. “So, meaningful improvements require stronger screening

o ‘If in-car cameras are made mandatory, similar security obligations should be imposed on operators to boost in-app protections’

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

are needed on how footage is stored and accessed. “We do not want privacy issues or misuse of recordings. There must be strict controls.” In contrast, full-time driver Muhd Rahman Muhd Ismail, 45, opposed the proposal, saying it risks adding pressure without addressing root causes of safety problems. “This is just another cost being pushed onto drivers. “Today cameras, tomorrow something else. But what about passenger verification or stronger enforcement from the platform?” He argued that existing in-app safety tools are sufficient if properly enforced. “The problem is not a lack of cameras, it is weak action when complaints are made,” he said. Muhd Rahman highlighted that mandatory recording could discourage passengers and create discomfort during trips. “I do not think it is suitable for us either. Maybe for buses, but for private e-hailing cars it feels a bit off. “Not everyone wants to be recorded every time they step into a car. It changes the whole experience and makes it uncomfortable for drivers and passengers.” – By Harith Kamal “We cannot continue relying on drivers to serve as both the first and last line of defence in matters of safety,” he said, adding that platform companies possess far greater financial, technological and data resources than individual drivers. He advised against shifting compliance costs solely to drivers, many of whom are already under financial strain due to rising insurance premiums, declining fares and increasing operating expenses. “If safety is indeed regarded as a national priority, a fair cost-sharing framework must be established,” he incidents occur. However, cautioned against placing disproportionate responsibility on drivers while overlooking the broader role of platform operators. Rizal said if in-car cameras are made mandatory, equivalent safety obligations should also be imposed on platform operators to strengthen in-app protections. He said these should include real-time emergency response features, enhanced passenger verification, risk detection tools, live location sharing and clearly defined response protocols. he

PETALING JAYA: E-hailing drivers have given mixed reactions to a proposal to introduce mandatory in-car cameras for ride-hailing vehicles, with some welcoming the move as a safety boost and others saying it could raise costs and deepen mistrust in the sector. For a 32-year-old part-time driver based in Penang, Amirul Hakim, the idea is a “necessary step” but one that must be implemented carefully. “I actually agree because it could protect drivers too, not just passengers,” he stressed. “Sometimes, we (drivers) face difficult situations in the car and there is no proof. Some passengers can be rude and intimidating when they raise their voice, so we worry about what they could do. “A camera could help settle disputes faster and give a sense of security,” he said. However, he said the responsibility should not fall solely on drivers to bear the cost or manage the system. “If it becomes mandatory, the platform should help pay for it or provide the device. “Many drivers are already struggling with fuel, maintenance and other additional costs,” he added. He also noted that clearer rules PETALING JAYA: Why does the spotlight so often land on what e-hailing drivers should have done after an incident, while the obligations of platform companies, which extract substantial profits from the industry receive far less scrutiny? That question lies at the heart of a pointed intervention by Gabungan eHailing Malaysia (GEM) as the government considers proposals to install in-vehicle cameras in e hailing vehicles following a string of recent safety-related incidents. The proposal, now being weighed by the Transport Ministry following recent assault cases involving e-hailing drivers, is being positioned as a way to strengthen accountability and improve safety for passengers and drivers. On the matter of the camera proposal, GEM chief activist Jose Rizal said the group supports the use of in-car recording systems as an added layer of protection, noting that such technology could improve accountability and assist investigations when disputes or

Drivers split over mandatory in-car cameras

Centre aims to boost blood donation rate SHAH ALAM: The National Blood Centre is aiming to increase Malaysia’s blood donation rate to at least 3% of the current population to ensure a stable blood supply capable of meeting growing demand.

Maizura said blood stocks at the National Blood Centre remain sufficient, but collections must be carried out continuously due to consistent demand and the limited shelf life of blood components. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

She encouraged the public to become regular donors by donating blood every three months rather than only coming forward during emergencies or periods of blood shortages. “To balance the high demand, the National Blood Centre continuously monitors stock levels of all blood groups, particularly Group O, as nearly 50% of Malaysians belong to this blood group.”

42 days.” She said efforts to recruit new donors must be intensified to replace existing donors who will eventually reach the maximum blood donation age limit of 70. According to her, the need is driven by the increasing number of government hospitals, which has led to higher demand for blood supplies and greater medical workloads, Bernama reported.