HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has urged the organisers of motoring events to take their moral responsibilities more seriously following a series of fatal accidents, including the recent RXZ Members 8.0.
He said that despite the excitement of motoring events that bring together thousands of fans, hospital emergency teams across the country often face the heartbreaking reality when accident victims are admitted in critical condition.
Even more distressing, he said, are families who suddenly lose their livelihood due to road accidents.
“Every weekend that brings together motoring enthusiasts, emergency rooms in hospitals across the country are often faced with a very heartbreaking reality.
“Behind the excitement of the event, there are families who receive sad news, losing their livelihood due to road accidents,” he said in a post on his Facebook.
At the same time, Dr Dzulkefly also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims who died in the recent road accident and prayed that they would be given the strength to face the loss.
According to Dr Dzulkefly, road accidents are not just a transportation issue, but rather one of the most difficult public health challenges facing the country.
He said that road accidents are the fifth-highest contributor to premature deaths in Malaysia.
Based on the Malaysian Road Fatality Index by the Ministry of Transport, an average of 18 people are killed in road accidents every day.
More worrying, he said, 59 per cent of these deaths involve motorcyclists.
He reminded that every life lost also brings a major impact on family institutions and the country's economy.
Based on the Statistical Value of Life, he said, the government incurred losses of at least RM3.12 million for each life lost.
However, he stressed, the figure could not reflect the true suffering of the victim's family.
"This is not just a number; it represents the head of the family, young people who are the hope, as well as productive human capital that was lost in the blink of an eye.
"How many young wives have suddenly had to become widows? How many small children are now growing up as orphans?" he asked.
Dr Dzulkefly said he appreciated the good intentions of the motoring program organisers who wanted to strengthen ties within the community.
However, the series of fatal accidents that have been reported to have occurred since the initial edition, up to RXZ Members 8.0, cannot be taken lightly.
“To the organisers of this mega convoy programme, I fully support the goodwill and spirit of camaraderie that you have organised.
“However, the series of fatal accidents that have continued from the first edition to the recent RXZ Members 8.0 is very worrying,” he said.
In this regard, he stressed that the organisers have a moral responsibility to ensure that the safety of participants is given priority in every event.
Therefore, the message of prudent driving and road safety advocacy must be made a mandatory agenda, not just a side item.
He said that the culture of chasing speed and extreme actions must be stopped to prevent more lives from being lost in vain.
In addition, Dr Dzulkefly also explained that every spike in accident cases in a short period of time puts great pressure on the public health system.
According to him, hospital resources, including blood supply, imaging equipment, operating theatres and multidisciplinary specialist personnel, have to be mobilised and diverted to treat accident victims.
“This is the reality of our health system: one per cent of the MOH workforce is responsible for managing 99 per cent of the Malaysian population,” he said.
He called on the motoring community to abandon the old slogans that glorify extreme speed or courage, and instead cultivate new slogans that are more moderate and safer.
“It is time for us to change the extreme mentality on the road.
“Stop using the old slogans, let's cultivate a new slogan that carries a message of moderation and safety — ‘Yang Santai, Pasti Sampai’,” he said.
The slogan, he explained, needs to be used as a guideline to encourage prudent riding, compliance with the speed limit and the target of zero accidents.
“Make life safety an absolute priority before turning on the throttle of your machine.
“Remember the faces of your loved ones who always pray for your return home,” said Dr Dzulkefly again. – August 3, 2026
