KUCHING: The relevant agencies must be firm when enforcing traffic laws, and not compromise with drivers and motorcyclists without valid licence.
Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the situation, particularly involving youths and under-aged teenagers, should not be allowed to get out of hand as this would pose danger to their safety as well as those of other road users.
He feared that if the Road Transport Department (JPJ) or the police were not strict in upholding the law, youths would feel free to ride motorcycles or drive vehicles on public roads without having the need for a licence.
Abdul Karim made this comment in the wake of a nationwide police crackdown on teenagers riding without licence, which saw about 4,700 motorcycle owners – mostly parents – being hauled up.
“If many are riding bikes or driving vehicles without licence, I guess the JPJ or the police must have been sleeping on their jobs and not enforcing the laws on this matter.
“We do not want to see the situation getting to an extent where the public get apathy and don’t seem bothered to acquire or renew their licence, or paying for their vehicle’s road tax and insurance because they don’t feel the need due to the non-enforcement of the law.
“I notice that this scenario is happening a lot these days. As a result, the public and other road users are being put at risk,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The Asajaya assemblyman advised motorcycle and vehicle owners against allowing individuals without valid licence to use their bikes and cars.
He noted that awareness and education needed to be enhanced on the matter, especially in the case of individuals riding motorcycles without using helmet. He agreed that motorcyclists or pillion riders were often spotted not using helmet when on the road.
“If there is an accident caused by these defaulters, it will be very remote for the aggrieved party to claim for insurance because the motorcycles or cars were operated by someone without a licence,” he continued.
Last Saturday, a national English daily reported federal traffic police chief Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latif as saying that the number of deaths and traffic offences involving teenagers had reached a worrisome stage with many even joining illegal road races.
The swoop began in January last year to target the increasing number of teenagers illegally riding bikes especially when going to school.
Mohd Fuad added that the police were aware that students had been involved in minor accidents that went unreported.
He noted that the police would not relent in their action to target teen bikers as the purpose was also to raise awareness that youths should abide by the rules at a young age.
Motorcycle owners would have to pay RM300 fine for allowing a person without licence to ride their machine in addition to RM300 that has to be paid by the rider.
Those unable to pay the RM600 fine will have their bikes confiscated by the police.
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