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.
