MELAKA – The Melaka government has recently re-established its Road Safety Council after it was abolished in 2018, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
He said the council was re-established to play a leading role in implementing various road safety programmes and campaigns with the aim of reducing the rate of road accidents and fatalities.
He said the council has been placed under the Chief Minister’s Department and chaired by state Public Works, Transport, Public Facilities, Infrastructure and Flood Management Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman.
“Prior to this, I noticed an increase in the rate of road accidents in the state and was informed of the important role played by the council, which was abolished.
“The recruitment to fill vacancies in the council will be carried out in the near future and today we have officially launched it,” he told reporters after launching the Melaka Road Safety Council and the state-level Road Safety and 2023 Chinese New Year Ops Campaign here today.
Also present were Road Transport Department (RTD) deputy director-general (planning and operations) Aedy Fadly Ramli and Melaka RTD director Muhammad Firdaus Shariff.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman said that a total of 14,381 road accidents, with 155 fatalities, were recorded in Melaka between January and September last year, adding that the rate of accidents in the state was still at a very worrying level.
“As such, the involvement of state government agencies, private companies and non-governmental organisations like the Road Safety Council is very much needed to help reduce the rate of accidents, thus creating awareness among the public.
“Motorists, especially those entering Melaka, are also requested to obey all regulations and road signs provided to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout the festive period,” he said.
He hoped that the public will also play their role as “enforcement personnel” by reporting any traffic violations during the Chinese New Year celebrations by channelling their complaints to the RTD via email to [email protected]. – Bernama, January 19, 2023
