SIMANGGANG: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin has stressed that merely transforming the public transport system and improving urban roads won’t suffice to address congestion and road safety concerns.
Instead, he underscored the importance of altering the attitudes of road users to promote understanding and compliance with traffic laws.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the T-ABC Programme (Transport – Awareness Behavioral Change) in collaboration with the Sarawak Road Safety Council, Lee pointed out the need for collective effort from road users to complement government initiatives.
“It doesn’t matter what the government does, whether through infrastructure development, modern transport systems, transport subsidies, provisions and enforcement of laws and regulations.
“We still can’t solve the traffic jams if the road users themselves don’t contribute to help the authorities.
“Thus, emphasis needs to be placed on changing attitudes so that people understand and obey road rules.”
The text of his speech was read by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis on Tuesday (March 19).
Citing data from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) indicating a rise in road accidents in Sri Aman, Lee expressed concern over the increasing number of fatalities, particularly among motorcyclists and youths.
“Overall in Sri Aman Division, we have cumulative cases for 2022 with 400 cases, and 2023 recorded 472 cases which shows an increase of 17 per cent.
“It’s even sadder that sources from the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute (MIROS) state that motorcycles and youths account for the highest proportion of deaths in road accidents in Malaysia.
“Therefore, through the T-ABC Programme, the government intends to change the way people behave on the road, changing unwanted behaviour that contributes to traffic congestion, inappropriate parking, dangerous acts, risky driving, road bullying and so on.
“This is because bad behaviour is one of the main factors that contribute to unsafe conditions on the road and traffic congestion.”
Regarding congestion near schools along main routes, Lee disclosed ongoing discussions to address the issue.
“I believe that if all parties have awareness and think towards creating a better traffic environment in Sri Aman, the ministry is ready to work together to implement initiatives to improve the flow and public transport system in Sri Aman Division.
“Now we have a Public Transport Committee and a Traffic Management Committee at Sri Aman Division level chaired by Sri Aman Division Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman.
“It’s a channel to submit proposals to the Sarawak government to improve transport facilities and traffic management in Sri Aman.”
The event, attended by approximately 250 participants, including students from various schools and community leaders, saw the presence of Ministry of Transport’s head of Corporate Management Division, Elvis Didit; Deputy Resident of Sri Aman Division, Charlie Keling; and Special Administrative Officer of Sri Aman Division Development Agency, Datuk Indit Bangai.
