Lee (fourth right) holds a replica of his L license from over 30 years ago during the programme’s launch gimmick today.
MIRI (May 25): Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin today has adviced teenagers and youths who have just obtained their Class B2 driver’s license for motorcycles not exceeding 250cc not to be reckless and endanger their lives while on the road.
He revealed that according to statistics, Sarawak has recorded an increase of 10.85 per cent cases of road accidents, with the number of fatal accidents increasing from 341 cases in 2022 to 378 in 2023.
“Don’t get involved in illegal racing activities and become a ‘mat rempit’, because this can endanger your own life. Love your life,” he said.
He was speaking to over 500 students and youths during MyLesen’s Class B2 motorcycle licence handing-over programme here.
The MyLesen programme is a government initiative to assist secondary school students and youths from the lower income group to obtain their Class B2 motorcycle license.
For Miri Division, Lee revealed that the statistics showed a decrease of 10 per cent with 49 fatal accident cases recorded in 2022 compared to 44 in 2023.
“Based on this trend, the overall rate of fatal accidents is increasing. This is very sad because it leads to losses for us and the country in general,” he said.
On the MyLesen programme, he welcomed the implementation and hoped that it could be extended to other parts of Sarawak.
This, in turn, would help to educate and create awareness among the public about the need to prioritise road safety, and for them to practice the approach of ‘drive carefully until you arrive safely at your destination’, he said.
“This is a ‘mantra’ for every prudent driver or rider while on the road,” Lee added.
“Therefore, it is my great hope that all MyLesen participants in Senadin can be an example and role model for the surrounding community, in the aspect of being prudent riders.
“This will indirectly contribute to reducing the accident rate in Malaysia in general and in Miri Division in particular,” he said.
