Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by allthefivehorizon

Guess what? Malaysia is among the LOWEST rate

allthefivehorizon — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:25:20 +0800

Our drink-driving death rate among lowest, WHO data shows

August 2, 2020 7:00 AM

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...who-data-shows/

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has one of the lowest rates of road deaths caused by alcohol consumption, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization.

A global road safety report from December 2018 shows that less than 1% of traffic related deaths in Malaysia are linked to alcohol, far below the rate among some regional neighbours.

In Myanmar, 21% of road deaths are alcohol related, the worst in Southeast Asia, followed by Thailand at 14%, Cambodia at 13% and Singapore at 6%.

Malaysia has recently taken action for tougher penalties for alcohol-related road deaths.

Two months ago, federal traffic police director Azisman Alias said in an RTM interview that nine people had died in crashes caused by alcohol impairment in the last year.

He expressed concern over a rise in incidents involving drunk drivers beginning early this year, including the MCO period.

Police statistics in 2018 showed that there were 191 drivers and motorcyclists found to be driving and riding under the influence of alcohol, which resulted in 54 deaths.

The highest rate recorded in the latest WHO report was for South Africa, where nearly six out of every 10 road fatalities there involved alcohol. WHO estimates that there are 25.9 deaths per 100,000 people in South Africa.

The rate for the USA was 29% of 35,092 total road deaths five years ago.

The WHO puts around 1.35 million people globally perished on the roads every year or around 3,500 lives lost daily.

The United Nations agency estimates there will be 2 million deaths by 2030 if it is business as usual in the efforts to reduce road crashes by the UN member countries and it can cost many countries up to 3% of their domestic gross revenue.

Uber is Jewish Capitalist! - MoU signing cancel

allthefivehorizon — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 21:31:38 +0800

Posted on 7 March 2017 - 07:12pm

Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

MOU between cab companies and Uber cancelled at 11th hour

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2186020

PETALING JAYA: The much anticipated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between cab companies network and online transportation network company Uber didn't materialise today due to protest by taxi drivers.

It was called off last night by the Federation of Taxi Companies for Peninsular (Gabungan) president Datuk S. M. Salahuddin Ayubi Kamal Aazad, originally scheduled to be held at Sunway Lagoon Club this morning.

theSun understands that the eleventh hour decision was made by Salahuddin to postpone the MOU signing with Uber, as part of Gabungan's Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) agenda, after learning that the cabbies were planning to assemble near the event location and could ambush the EGM.

"To avoid unnecessary confrontation with the taxi drivers, we have to cancel the EGM and MOU signing today," Gabungan's spokesperson told theSun.

He added that Gabungan president may call for a meeting soon with key players of taxi operators to finalise the proposed move to collaborate with Uber Malaysia.

Asked when the tie-up with Uber will take off, the spokesperson said: "Please allow us to go through the details because we want to make it as an option for taxi drivers to utilise Uber app and prosper."

Meanwhile, taxi drivers were dumbfounded and couldn't comprehend that taxi companies, "were willing to sleep with the 'enemy' in order to survive."

Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee president Zailani Isa Usuluddin described the proposed move by cab companies to embrace Uber as an act of betrayal.

"After what we have been through, battling and waging war against Uber app and its drivers for causing hardship to us all this time including our effort of dragging SPAD to court, this is what are coming to — begging to this Jewish capitalist?" he said.

"We were never consulted about this collaboration and we feel like we have been treated like rubbish," Zailani explained.

He led around 100 cabbies this morning in handing over a memorandum of protest to Federal Territory and Selangor Taxi Operators Association president Datuk Aslah Abdullah, who was present at the location and was not aware that the EGM was cancelled.

South Korea not afraid to fight China and Japan

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 02:51:32 +0800

Posted on 27 November 2016 - 11:21pm
Last updated on 28 November 2016 - 12:49am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

South Korea still eyeing HSR project
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2075896

KUALA LUMPUR: South Korea hopes to clinch the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project despite intense lobbying by two Asian powerhouses.

The Koreans are banking on their success in developing their own HSR technology and construction methods for the past 12 years.

Korea Rail Network Authority regional representative Yoon Chi Man said it will offer Malaysia and Singapore, "a distinctive business model in terms of project planning and cost".

"We are also willing to share our experience with Malaysia in developing independent technologies which can greatly reduce maintenance costs and will help the two countries in the long run," he told theSun.

"We believe we are in a better position for this project," he added.

In an interview with China's business publication 21st Century Business Herald in April last year, former Land Public Transport Commission chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal had stated that safety was the first determining criteria for the 350km HSR project.

"At the same time, the total project cost must also be considered. What I am referring to is not the initial cost of the project, it also includes the subsequent operation, maintenance and repair costs," said Nur Ismal, who is currently MyHSR CEO.

The international tender to supply trains for the KL-Singapore HSR is expected to be called in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Asked on the recent development with China and Japan early exertion to woo Malaysia for the HSR job, Yoon replied: "Our willingness to share our HSR technology with Malaysia will set us apart from the competitors."

He said most HSR technologies in Korea have been developed and owned by public agencies including the development of its own rolling stock.

"Whereas in contrast to the private sector, it developed and owned most of the technologies," said Yoon, adding that Korea has improvised the French technology after adopting it in 1994.

Operated by Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation), the first HSR ran from Seoul to Busan in April 2004. Since then, it has achieved on-time performance punctuality of 99.88%.

South Korea is the fifth country in the world to run a 300km/h HSR train after France, Germany, Japan and Spain.

A third HSR line in South Korea known as Seoul Super Rapid Train, running 86% in tunnels on the 61.1km dedicated track, will be opened officially next week, connecting southern Seoul with Gyeongbu and Honam HSR lines.

Kejara may start after March 2017

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 02:44:02 +0800

Posted on 27 November 2016 - 11:47pm
Last updated on 28 November 2016 - 12:34am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Move to reduce AES fines
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2075910

PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the law to reduce traffic fines under the Automated Enforcement System (AES) from RM300 to RM150 will be tabled in Parliament in March next year.

It is also likely that the much awaited Kejara demerit points system may only kick off after the new legislation for AES is gazetted and incorporated into the Awareness Automated Safety System (Awas).

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi told theSun that the law revision was important for the second phase of AES.

"This is also to standardise the traffic fines issued by traffic cops into the Kejara demerit points," he said.

theSun understands that the Kejara system will also involve integration of traffic summonses issue by the Land Public Transport Commission, Road Transport Department and police.

Aziz confirmed that the RM150 fixed amount announced by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai last week was merely a compound discount for traffic offenders to settle 2.5 million outstanding AES issued summonses since 2012.

"This discount offer begins now, for the next six months. After that period, those who still refuse to pay will be hauled up to court," Aziz said.

He is also not ruling out a proposal to the Attorney-General's Chamber to set up a special court to clear the backlog of AES cases accumulated in the past four years.

Aziz was clearing the air on the confusion over the latest move by the ministry in relation to Section 79 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for AES offences.

The current penalty, upon conviction, is a fine of not less than RM300 and not more than RM2,000 under Act 1440, that was last amended in 2012.

The matter came to light after AES Protest Secretariat chairman Zulhazmi Shariff questioned Liow's announcement on the fixed amount of RM150.

Zulhazmi pointed out that the RM300 fine still remains unchanged for speeding and red light-running offences under AES, "until present regulation is amended".

"The transport minister stated that the Cabinet has agreed to reduce the fine to RM150. Is Section 79 (2) of the Act already amended? I don't think so."

On a related matter, Aziz said the Transport Ministry has yet to decide on the number of safety cameras and the locations for phase two of AES.

Mat Rempit stunned Valentino Rossi

allthefivehorizon — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 00:58:38 +0800

Posted on 24 November 2016 - 12:12am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Rossi shocked by ‘Mat Rempit’
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2071772

SHAH ALAM: MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi (pix) was shocked by the "Mat Rempit" menace in the country during a visit here.

Malaysia's racing icon Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini said the nine-time world champion had encountered groups of "Mat Rempit" in action over the years and was stunned to see their daredevil antics on public roads.

"Normally, after the race in Sepang, Rossi would have a night out in Kuala Lumpur," said Shahrol, who has known Rossi since his training days in Barcelona and competing in the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme European Championship and Spanish Road Racing in the 90s.

His first Mat Rempit encounter was during a late night back from the city centre. He saw a group of bikers zooming recklessly by his car on the Sungai Besi Highway.

"I saw several motorcycles 'without riders' ," he said in jest.

"Rossi then told me, hey Yuzy, I saw a guy lying flat on the bike seat.

"Incredible! What was that?"

Shahrol said he laughed and replied: "That's a trend here. We call them 'Mat Rempit'. Can you do that, Valentino?"

"Rossi replied that he didn't dare to do it on the (public) roads or racing track because that's not his safety culture," Shahrol told the audience at a road safety forum "Pusara di Jalanraya: Sampai bila?" (Graves on the road: Until when?) organised by Karangkraf on Monday.

Shahrol, who retired from racing in 2002, also related his experience of staying in Europe for seven years.

"Bikers in Europe are more disciplined and tolerant," he said.

He added that motorcyclists in Europe patiently queue behind cars and heavy vehicles during traffic congestion.

"The bikers there wait for their turn to pass an intersection or traffic lights and they don't ride between lanes of moving traffic or against the flow," he said.

While Shahrol acknowledged that most bikers in Europe ride big bikes, he hoped the motorcyclists in Malaysia would cease the practice of lane splitting or lane filtering – the act of riding or squeezing between vehicles during busy or slow moving traffic.

"Bikers here should value safety," he told theSun after the forum ended.

Shrink suggests fake AES cameras & women

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 02:58:01 +0800

Posted on 7 November 2016 - 12:04am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Fake cameras can boost road safety
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2051047

BANGI: Install fake cameras on deadly stretches of roads and recruit more women to boost road safety efforts, says a traffic psychologist.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia School of Psychology and Human Development associate professor, Dr Rozmi Ismail said the decoy device recommendation was based on research worldwide for road users to be on guard all the time.

"Install five to 10 fake cameras at crash-prone areas or traffic lights. Make the fake cameras visible every 3km or 5km and let the public guess which one is a genuine camera – a real device can be installed in between," Rozmi told theSun.

Rozmi, who also specialises in experimental psychology said by doing so, the road users will be gripped with the perception of being caught.

The former president of Malaysian Psychological Association also suggested to increase women's participation in road traffic enforcement agencies due to their "straight as an arrow" stance in enforcing the law.

"No disrespect to the policemen but ladies as enforcement officers have unyielding reputation as law enforcers," he pointed out.

He said women enforcement officers have shown that they are always firm and do their job without fear and favour.

He said that the male traffic cops tend to be more lenient with offenders.

He cited the case In Penang where female officers were verbally abused by traffic offenders for clamping the wheel of a vehicle due to indiscriminate parking and in October 2015, three women enforcement officers of Penang Island City Council stood firm despite the intimidation and was shouted with profanities by two youths at Lebuh Campbell.

The two men were arrested and later charged in court under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in discharging public duties.

CRAZY SHOCKING death statistics of child BIKERS

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 02:45:09 +0800

Posted on 7 November 2016 - 12:04am
Last updated on 7 November 2016 - 12:19am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Alarm over child motorcyclists
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2051046

PETALING JAYA: Casualties among children and teenagers riding motorcycles illegally are on the rise with some as young as six years old putting their lives in danger in the suburbs and rural roads nationwide.

Official data from traffic police disclosed that many young motorcyclists from six to 10-year-olds are killed on the roads every year, with 13 deaths and 88 injured last year. It is an increase of 10 deaths and 79 injuries compared to 2014 statistics.

The "2015 Statistical Report on Road Accidents" released by the Federal Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department also revealed that 249 unlicensed bikers aged between 11 and 15 were killed, 229 sustained serious injuries and 427 cases of minor injuries.

It is a hefty jump compared to the 2014 statistics which saw 225 killed, 198 (serious injuries) and 324 (minor injuries) for the 11 to 15-year-old age group.

The report also disclosed that due to motorcycle crashes last year, there were 1,235 road fatalities or an average of 3.4 deaths a day – bikers and pillion riders – including babies on board.

The 2015 fatalities involving pillion riders were:
> 16 infants and toddlers (up to five years old)
> 17 children (six to 10 years old)
> 53 children (11 to 15 years old)
> 97 teenagers (16 to 20 years old)

There were 790 deaths in the 16- to 20-year-old age group while 577 suffered serious injuries and 1,112 cases of minor injuries – the highest fatalities and casualties from a particular age group in the overall road fatalities nationwide.

A total of 3,816 motorcyclists and 387 pillion riders from all ages perished last year, an increase of 24 deaths (for bikers and pillion riders) than the previous year's figure.

There were 2,509 deaths involving Malay bikers, followed by Indians (513); Chinese (473) and foreigners (236) last year.

Most road deaths were in rural areas, claiming 2,193 victims, followed by urban areas (801), small towns (572) and major cities (250).

The 2015 fatalities data also revealed that 1,295 bikers and pillion riders (108) were not using safety helmets.

The most common time for deaths on the road involving bikers was between 8.01pm and 10pm, with 500 deaths, and from 6.01pm to 8pm with 470.

AES for Batu Pahat soon? Special road safety plan

allthefivehorizon — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 01:12:24 +0800

Posted on 2 November 2016 - 11:23pm
Last updated on 2 November 2016 - 11:56pm

Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

A file picture of an accident at Km104.3 of the North South Highway from
Yong Peng to Pagoh near Batu Pahat on Aug 1, 2016. — Bernama

Unique road safety plan for Batu Pahat
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2047753

PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will finalise a unique road safety plan for Batu Pahat by end of the year to deal with the high incidence of road crashes in the district.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said agencies under the ministry are devising a "micro integrated approach" for the area.

"We will localise a federal approach by engaging the stakeholders at district level," he told theSun.

Aziz said it could either be a stand-alone mode, new road safety plan or a unique plan that no other districts have.

Last month, a two-day workshop was held in Batu Pahat for 25 participants from Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Road Safety Department, Road Transport Department, Public Works Department, police and university researchers.

Road Safety National Blue Ocean Strategy cluster chairman Prof Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said it may adopt the experience from other parliamentary constituencies nationwide as part of the plan while analysing the motorists behaviour in Batu Pahat.

He said the new road safety model may be extended to other states.

On Monday, theSun reported that Batu Pahat had the dubious honour of being the deadliest district, with the highest road fatalities for two years in a row.

Last year, the district claimed 191 lives as compared to the 165 fatalities in the previous year. Motorcyclists and pillion riders were the highest victims with 63%.

Last year, there were 7,698 traffic collisions recorded in Batu Pahat with 54 suffering serious and 293 minor injuries as compared to 7,445 road crashes in 2014 leading to 47 afflicted with severe and 547 minor injuries.

The Federal Route 50 (FT 050) Batu Pahat-Kluang, Km5 to Km24 Jalan Kluang, Jalan Muar from Batu Pahat to Semerah and Km76 to Km80 Plus Highway (northbound) have been identified as crash-prone areas.

The FT 050 route was also identified by Works Ministry as the "deadliest stretch of road" in the country.

(Reported by theSun Daily)

MALU la wei now Uber Grab no problem pick up

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:22:28 +0800

Posted on 30 October 2016 - 11:47pm
V. Ragananthini
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Doubts over block on Uber, Grab
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2043588

PETALING JAYA: Hotels would be foolish to allow only one taxi company to pick up or drop off passengers at their premises.

Such arrangements would be detrimental to business as no single taxi company can provide all the required services, said a hotel industry source.

Having such exclusivity would also mean guests using taxis from other companies being dropped off on the main road and made to walk to the hotel.

This was in response to claims by Big Blue Taxi Facilities Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail, who claimed the company had exclusive tie-ups with various hotels and shopping malls.

Shamsubahrin was quoted by theSun last week as saying that e-hailing service providers such as Uber and GrabCar are not allowed to provide pick-up services at some hotels and malls.

Shamsubahrin claimed Zalnas Limousine Sdn Bhd, a member of the Naza Group, had an exclusive arrangement and these rights were sub-contracted to his company.

Asked for formal documents on the arrangement, Shamsulbahrin sent copies of letters from Zalnas. The letter, signed by its vice-president Suradi Haji Sulaiman, stated that taxis from Big Blue and five other companies could pick up passengers from the hotels.

However, he could not produce any agreements or contracts with the hotels and instead provided invoices issued to taxi companies for special stickers costing RM400 each.

The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, one of the locations quoted by Shamsulbahrin, rubbished the claim that Big Blue has an agreement that entitled its taxis exclusive rights at the hotel.

"We can confirm there was never an agreement between the Ritz Carlton and Big Blue Taxi," said Ritz Carlton spokesman Natalie Hay.

General manager of Sunway Putra Hotel Christopher Bong said the hotel had an agreement with Prestigelimo, a company owned by Naza Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd, which provides chauffeured limousine services.

However, Bong stressed that the hotel has no restrictions on their guests' choice of transportation.

"We have no problems with our guests using Uber or Grab services", he said.

Bong added that Shamsubahrin's claims were unnecessary and the matter will be brought to the attention of Prestigelimo.

Sunway Putra Mall general manager Phang Saul Lian confirmed the mall has no affiliation with Big Blue Taxi.

Calls to Suraidi and other officials from Zalnas Limousine and Naza Ventures were not returned.

(Reported by theSun Daily)

BATU PAHAT the most dangerous roads

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:59:07 +0800

Posted on 30 October 2016 - 11:47pm
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

18 deaths a day
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2043590

PETALING JAYA: Despite the many road safety campaigns being carried out, there were 6,706 deaths on Malaysian roads last year – an average of 18 a day.

Of the fatalities, 62% involved motorcyclists (3,816) and pillion riders (387). Some 11,550 others suffered injuries in the accidents that were largely attributed to human factors.

Federal Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director SAC Datuk Mahamad Akhir Darus, said in the recently released "2015 Statistical Report on Road Accidents" there were 489,606 road crashes nationwide last year, an increase of 2.8% from 2014.‎

He noted, however, that the number of fatalities and injuries saw a reduction of 7.3%, as compared to 2014.

The highest casualties involved those aged between 16 and 20 years (934 cases), followed by 21 to 25-year-olds (828), 26 to 30 years (641), 31 to 35-year-olds (579), with the others aged above 36.

According to the report, Johor had the highest number of road fatalities – 1,040 deaths, an increase of 22 from 2014.

Selangor recorded the second highest with 1,028 deaths, 40 less compared with 1,068 in 2014.

For the second consecutive year, Batu Pahat had the dubious honour of being the deadliest district, with the highest road fatalities, while Petaling Jaya had the most number of traffic collisions in a locality last year.

The areas with the highest number of road deaths were:
» Batu Pahat – 191;
» Kuantan – 155;
» Ipoh – 145;
» Kuala Muda – 121;
» Central Seberang Prai – 118;
» Kajang and Central Malacca – 110 each.

Batu Pahat was also found to have the most unsafe roads in 2015 with 165 fatalities. However, the number of injuries (minor and severe) dropped to 347, compared to 594 in 2014.

The districts with the most number of reported road crashes were:
» Petaling Jaya (25,635)
» Northeast Penang Island (14,696)
» South Johor Baru (14,642)
» Shah Alam (14,562)
» Ipoh (14,260)
» Kajang (14,133)
» South Kelang (13,060).

The report also stated that the most deaths nationwide were on rural roads, claiming 3,731 victims, followed by urban areas (1,277), small towns (827) and major cities (408).

The most common time for road fatalities were between 8.01pm and 10pm, with 682 deaths, and from 4.01pm to 6pm with 668.

July saw the highest number of casualties in both 2015 and 2014, with 705 and 637 deaths respectively, apparently due to the Hari Raya travel period. July also saw highest number of road crashes last year with 43,892 cases.

(Reported by theSun Daily)

Construction for Gombak terminal for East Coast

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 02:04:05 +0800

Posted on 24 October 2016 - 12:13am
Last updated on 24 October 2016 - 12:47am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Gombak Terminal will be ready by 2019
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2013030

Artist impression of Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal (GITT). The construction for the
transport hub will begin next month and to be completed by second quarter of 2019.
— Pix courtesy of Transport Ministry

PUTRAJAYA: The construction of the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal (GITT) will commence next month, and the facility is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2019.

Primed to be the major transport hub for the north-east sector of Greater Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 700 bus trips and 22,000 users daily, GITT will offer seamless integration with the Gombak LRT station and will also be the focal transit point for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).

During the budget tabling on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak announced that GITT will be among the stations for the RM55 billion ECRL double-tracking project connecting the Klang Valley to the east coast.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said the ministry has been working hard to revive the RM307 million transport hub project, which was scheduled to take off four years ago under the National Key Result Areas for Urban Public Transport plan.

He described the Gombak terminal as the perfect location for east coast travellers since it is less than 10 minutes from the KL-Karak Highway and may reduce traffic congestion into the city.

Aziz also said issues over the land, which caused the project to be stalled since 2011, had been resolved earlier this year between the federal and Selangor governments.

The former Selangor mentri besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, had refused to sanction a land swap deal and insisted the federal government develop the land, without changing the Malay Reserve Land status of the 5.4ha site.

The revival of the GITT project will bring cheer to east coast travellers who have had to endure long journeys and congestion since the end of 2014, and travel an additional 35km to board express buses and taxis at the Tasik Selatan Integrated Terminal (TBS), located at the southern corridor of Kuala Lumpur.

“Probably, the Gombak terminal will also serve north-bound buses on a temporary basis,” Aziz added.

GITT will be constructed and managed by Terminal Bersepadu Gombak Sdn Bhd (Tegas), on a 25-year concession.

The terminal complex comprises two components – main terminal building and the road widening and upgrading works for the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).

“We anticipate the Selayang Municipal Council will issue the building plan approval by the end of next month for us to start with the earthworks and pile driving,” said a Tegas spokesman.

It will include a seven-storey terminal building, a commercial Soho block and retail lots of around 220,000m², centralised e-ticketing system for bus tickets purchase, 950 parking lots and a lay-by for buses with 80 bays.

“Passenger cars will have direct access to the terminal building at level three from MRR2 while buses coming from the Karak side will have a dedicated access road,” said the spokesman, adding that GITT will be a tout-proof terminal similar to TBS.

Land clearing activity already begun earlier this month at the construction site
of Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal, located besides the Gombak LRT station
with Middle Ring Road 2 at the background. — Sunpix by Shahrim Tamrin

Grab Uber driver not allowed pick up at Publika

allthefivehorizon — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 00:12:04 +0800

A file picture of a security guard telling a uber driver to pick up passengers from the outside
property area at KLCC, Kuala Lumpur on Aug 8, 2016. — Sunpix by Adib Rawi Yahya

Posted on 19 October 2016 - 11:57pm
Last updated on 20 October 2016 - 12:18pm
Adrian Phung
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Uber, Grab barred by Big Blue
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2009243

KUALA LUMPUR: Drivers of e-hailing services Uber and Grab will not be allowed to pick up passengers from four major areas here from next month.

Big Blue Taxi Service founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail revealed the four locations are Publika shopping mall, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Sunway Putra Mall and JW Marriott Hotel.

"We are expanding the restriction imposed in KLCC because these places are part of Big Blue territory and it is our priority that the public have a good and safe customer experience," Shamsubahrin said.

He said he has the right to impose such a restriction due to a contract he had with the respective building owners or managers.

"Under the contract, only Big Blue taxis are allowed to pick up passengers from the property's private road while those which are operating illegally or do not meet requirements of any of the authorities like Road Transport Department or the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) are prohibited from entering to pick up passengers even if they have bookings from visitors," he said.

The drop-off, however, can still be within the building premises as the enforcement of such restrictions does not cover public or access roads, he added.

Shamsubahrin also said he welcomed those who had returned their taxis and had resorted to driving private vehicles to be part of the ZeptoBlue taxi fleet.

"Once they join us, I am open to offer them employment contracts enabling them to earn a steady income of RM3,000 each month," he said.

He stressed that the offer is only open to those who have a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence as well as a clean driving record.

"As customer safety is our utmost priority, we conduct strict checks with all the relevant authorities on all our drivers before offering them an employment contract. We do not hire or accept drivers who have a criminal record," Shamsubahrin said, adding that he hopes to have some 5,000 new drivers by end of the year.

(Reported by theSun Daily)

Photos of abandoned taxis - DEATH of TAXI industry

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:55:31 +0800

Posted on 17 October 2016 - 12:04am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

END OF THE ROAD?
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2005101

PETALING JAYA: The conventional taxi industry may collapse in the next 16 months due to stiff competition from ride-hailing services Grab and Uber, which charge cheaper fares and enjoy other alleged unfair advantages.

Industry insiders said taxi companies are bracing for up to a RM60 million loss in revenue by the end of the year if the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) does not intervene to save the RM230 million industry.

A bumiputra taxi operator said the industry is experiencing a rapid fall, with a growing number of new taxis yet to be leased out and existing taxis returned by cabbies unwilling to continue driving.

“On average, it has been between RM15 million and RM20 million losses monthly across the industry. The business was bad post-GST. With Uber and Grab in the picture, we are suffering even more,” said Avenue Drive Sdn Bhd managing director Abd Razak Abd Aziz.

“Take for example, a new Proton Persona taxi with a cost of RM50,000 each. Imagine, if one operator cannot lease out 50 Persona taxis or have them returned (by the drivers),” he said.

“RM2.5 million lost is just for one small company. Think about the big taxi operators and the whole industry, as there will be some 20,000 abandoned taxis in the coming months. Think about loss of income by taxi drivers and also taxi operators having to service bank loans and other costs,” he said.

Quoting his company, Abd Razak said around 20 taxis had been returned by cabbies since July and there had been no takers for 60 new taxis since early this year.

Checks by theSun at several cab company depots in Rawang, Selayang, Kepong, Ampang, Pandan, Seri Kembangan and Shah Alam revealed that around 1,600 taxis are parked within their premises.

At one of the major companies, Uptownace Sdn Bhd, its manager, who requested anonymity, urged the media to highlight the unlevel playing field between taxis and ride-hailing services.

“Please ask SPAD what it is doing by allowing Uber and Grab to operate illegally, without Puspakom inspection and other things,” he said.

A transport expert reckoned many taxi operators won’t survive beyond 2018 if the ride-hailing services continue to offer lower fares.

“Cheaper fare is the primary reason why many passengers are ditching taxis and switching to Grab or Uber. It is already affecting cabbies and taxi operators badly,” said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents liaison manager Y.S. Chan.

He explained it is not possible for taxi drivers to lower fares because of the cost factor, “while Uber and Grab are only acting as matchmakers using other people’s cars”.

Last week, effective Tuesday, Grab Malaysia announced a fare cut from RM1.30 per kilometre to RM1.10 in the Klang Valley during weekends (all day) and weekdays (non-peak hours).

(Reported by theSun Daily)

Uber and Grab drivers are blocked to pick up

allthefivehorizon — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 22:55:24 +0800

Posted on 16 October 2016 - 06:03pm
Last updated on 16 October 2016 - 10:27pm
Adrian Phung
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Uber and Grab drivers restricted from picking up passengers at Suria KLCC
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2004966

KUALA LUMPUR: Drivers from e-hailing services, Uber and Grab, are advised to pick up their "passengers" from the alternative pick-up location when they receive bookings from Suria KLCC's visitors.

Big Blue Taxi Service founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail told theSun whenever he or his staff notice any e-hailing drivers trying to pick passengers from the shopping mall compound, they will approach the driver and inform them politely to pick them from the designated alternative pick-up points.

"For example, when they stop at the Ampang Mall entrance (entrance facing Jalan Ampang) to pick passengers, we will ask them to fetch the passengers at the bus stop located at Jalan Ampang but the drop off can still be done within the lobby compound of the mall.

"The objective is because we want ensure the safety of those coming here and leaving considering that there are too many vehicles crossing in the areas as well as making sure the area is traffic free," he said.

He mentioned that such awareness will continue even after the government legalises the e-hailing services.

"We will not stop informing the drivers even after they are legalised because after that, we want them to register with our services if they want to pick passengers from the mall.

"The purpose of the registration is to allow us to assist the relevant authorities to track down the driver if anything happens to the passenger during the ride," he said, explaining that this would ensure the passenger's safety.

Commenting on the recent incident where 10,000 taxi drivers returned the vehicle to their respective operator, Shamsubahrin said he too encountered similar problems but managed to solve it almost immediately.

"When they return the taxi to us because they could not afford to pay the rental fee, I offer them employment contracts where they will have a basic salary and ten percent of their total earning in that month as commission.

"Currently, 30% of our taxi drivers are under employment contract and each month they are earning an average of RM3,000," he said.

(Reported by theSun Daily)

Taxi drivers asking for HELP money

allthefivehorizon — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 03:53:01 +0800

Cabbies initiate donation drive to battle SPAD

Posted on 10 October 2016 - 07:51am
Last updated on 10 October 2016 - 08:03am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1997171

PETALING JAYA: Taxi drivers have launched a donation drive to help prolong their legal battle against the ride-sharing app services.

They are appealing to cabbies nationwide especially in Klang Valley to raise RM7,000 to file an appeal at the Appellate Court against Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) before Oct 25.

Last month, the High Court had dismissed a suit by 102 cabbies against SPAD over Uber, Grab and Blacklance activities and operations.

The cabbies are determined to resume the litigation warpath against SPAD despite the High Court Judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam's ruling that the plaintiff should have filed the suit through a judicial review.

In addition, Su also pointed out that Uber, Grabcar and Blacklane were not named in the lawsuit together with SPAD.

Klang Valley Taxi Drivers' Action Committee president Zailani Isa Usuludin said the decision was made four days ago by the committee to seek contribution due to lack of fund.

“We have been ordered by the High Court to pay RM5,000 to SPAD as cost after our suit was struck out last month and also we require RM2,000 as legal fees for our appeal process,” he told theSun.

Zailani said the committee, which represents about 3,000 taxi drivers, would stop at nothing to drag SPAD in court and seek declaration to ban Uber, Grab and Blacklane activities and operation nationwide, even though the commission is set to table a law amendment to regulate e-hailing services in Parliament next month.

On Dec 30 last year, taxi drivers had filed the civil suit against SPAD by claiming that the commission did not carry out its duty to halt Uber, Grab and Blacklane illegal services and stated that the ride-sharing app services were given priority by the defendant while the cabbies' rights and interest were side-lined and ignored.

(Report by theSun Daily)

Go die lahhh taxi companies

allthefivehorizon — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 03:22:07 +0800

[attachmentid=7734206]

Letters - Free market at its best

Posted on 10 October 2016 - 07:59pm

I REFER to Giving up (Front page, Oct 10) about taxis being returned to the lease companies by drivers due to competition from ride-hailing cars.

I sympathise hugely with the cab drivers as their livelihood is now affected, but I cry with joy and scream yippee to note that the taxi-owning companies are faced with idle cars and rotting investments.

For years these companies have been milking cab drivers with exorbitant daily charges which in turn made the drivers behave in a very customer-unfriendly manner towards passengers.

The companies did not contribute anything towards the taxi riding process apart from being able to exploit their position as owners of taxi licences given to them instead of drivers directly. What skills or qualification these companies have for operating public transport companies and supervising them when their priority is to just collect the monthly lease.

Have we not seen how deplorable some of these taxis were?

Uber and GrabCar have showed how to make money without fleecing passengers and these two organisations have also managed to control their drivers' discipline and attitude by strict supervision and zero tolerance policies.

This is competition and free market working at its best.

Just Desserts
Kuala Lumpur

(Letters to theSun daily)

http://www.thesundaily.my/node/400284

Taxi drivers GIVE UP already hahaha

allthefivehorizon — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 04:47:45 +0800

Posted on 9 October 2016 - 11:13pm
Last updated on 9 October 2016 - 11:49pm
Amar Shah Mohsen
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GIVING UP

PETALING JAYA: In the face of stiff competition from ride-hailing services like Uber and Grab, as many as 10,000 conventional cab drivers in the Klang Valley may have returned their taxis to their respective companies over the last month.

This is despite many taxi companies trying to encourage cabbies to retain their vehicles by offering massive discounts in downpayment and daily rental rates over the last six months.

It is also learnt that since May, taxi companies have reduced the downpayment to lease a budget cab from RM8,000 and a guarantor to below RM2,500 without a guarantor required. Daily rentals have also been reduced to RM40 from RM55 previously for a Proton Persona.

"Most taxi operators and companies have reported a high number of vehicles being returned. We are not talking about just old vehicles, but even new ones," Peninsular Bumiputra Taxi Operators Association (Perbumi) president Datuk Mohd Alias Abdul told theSun today.

"Between 10% and 30% of the total number of taxis (35,000) in the Klang Valley have been returned to their operators in the past three to four weeks," he said, adding that this was because since the introduction of the ride-sharing apps, taxi drivers' income have seen a dip by as much as 40%.

Mohd Alias said there were also several instances where vehicles were repossessed by operators due to outstanding rental payments amounting to several months.

"We have given them (drivers) a lot of leeway. Some of them have outstanding payments of five or six months although we gave them notices and warnings," he added.

[attachmentid=7728494]

A spokesman for taxi operator New Supercab Sdn Berhad, who wished to be known only as Valerie, confirmed that there has been a huge increase in drivers returning their vehicles and vehicles being repossessed for outstanding rentals, especially in the past few months.

"I spoke to some of our drivers, and most of them said it was hard for them to cope with the competition from Uber and Grab, earning hardly enough income for themselves," she said.

Checks by theSun at the company's building in Glenmarie, Shah Alam also found some 200 taxis, mostly returned, parked around the compound and at an open field beside.

Big Blue Taxi Services founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail, however, said his company did not have any issue of drivers returning their vehicles, as it operates premium taxi services while most of those affected are budget taxis.

[Reported by theSun Daily)

New number plate by JPJ next year!

allthefivehorizon — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 01:49:25 +0800

Posted on 28 September 2016 - 12:20am
Last updated on 28 September 2016 - 12:26am

Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1984373

Putting a stop to fancy number plates

PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (RTD) aims to resolve the fancy number plate vehicle registration issue by the third quarter of 2017 after scrutinising input and suggestions from stakeholders during a special workshop yesterday.

If approved, it is learned that the new number plate policy will be enforced gradually for new vehicles including motorcycles, followed by other vehicles within a three-year grace period.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said the one-day workshop titled "The Standardisation of Vehicle Registration Number Plate" discussed the loophole in the production of number plates nationwide which led to widespread use of illegal plate specifications.

"We are also looking on how the number plates can be standardised and produced as a standard form across the country," he told theSun.

He said the new mechanism must allow the authorities to monitor the petty traders or vendors nationwide to produce number plates in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Rules 1959.

"We want the traders to register with the RTD and from there on, we, together with the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, can take action when necessary," he said in his opening speech at the workshop yesterday.

He requested workshop participants to consider durable and robust materials for the plates such as the metal stamping.

"The current material, such as plastic, does not last long and can be replaced and manipulated by irresponsible parties," he said, adding that the new mechanism for plate production must also be cost effective.

Stating that the government has been flexible in dealing with the issue, Aziz said the number plate standardisation is also vital in combating crimes and road safety enforcement.

"Over the years, the authorities and the public have had to deal with the difficulty of identifying fancy or unclear number plates of vehicles," he said.

"We want to find ways that won't incur high cost and cause a burden to the rakyat. We also want to ensure there is no monopoly for this purpose," he said.

At the workshop yesterday, a local company presented to the participants for about 45 minutes of a proposal for new number plate design and material as well as a dynamic registration system to halt abuse by vendor and car owners.

A similar workshop was held by the ministry two years ago to solve the dark tinting issue and the result was a reduction of visible light transmission (VLT) for just rear passenger section to 30% from 50% VLT.

A stiffer regulation was also gazetted last January under the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Type of Glass) (Amendment) Rules 2016.

The workshop was attended by about 50 participants from relevant government agencies and automotive industry.

[Reported by theSun Daily]

Putrajaya MONORAIL work to start !?

allthefivehorizon — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 02:21:28 +0800

[attachmentid=7589518]

Posted on 23 September 2016 - 12:53am
Last updated on 23 September 2016 - 01:29am

Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA MONORAIL BACK ON TRACK?

PUTRAJAYA: The Putrajaya Monorail project could be back on track as a leading conglomerate has tabled a proposal to the Economic Council (EC) to revive it.

Industry insiders told theSun MMC Corporation Berhad (MMC) was keen to undertake the project, which was shelved in 2004 due to federal budget constraints.

If approved, it is expected to be completed by 2021, in time to complement the completion of MRT 2 (Sg Buloh-Putrajaya) the same year.

Sources said the MMC proposal to revive the project is realistic and in line with the vision for efficient connectivity in the federal administrative capital with three other rail lines – MRT 2, ERL and KL-Singapore High Speed Rail – with Putrajaya as one of the transit points.

"For a start, the monorail station at Putrajaya Sentral will integrate with the first station of MRT 2, with seamless connection via an 84m skybridge," the source said.

After the MRT 2 groundbreaking ceremony last week, MMC group managing director Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh had briefed government officials, MRT Corp and Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) executives on MMC's ideas for the monorail project.

However, it has not been revealed if the latest attempt to develop the Putrajaya monorail is a solo effort by MMC or a joint venture with other project delivery partners, as in the MRT 1 (Sg Buloh-Kajang) project.

"Funding could be sourced via private financing or adopting a public-private partnership model," said the source, adding that the project was under the purview of the Economic Planning Unit and other agencies.

In the original plan, phase one the project was estimated to cost RM400 million for two lines – a 13.6km track with 18 stops (first line) and a 6.8km line to serve seven stations (second line).

A 4km underground track and 9km above ground had been completed before it was shelved.

When contacted, SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed MMC has submitted a proposal to the EC to revive the project.

Syed Hamid said the government has instructed SPAD to conduct a feasibility study for monorail and tram services for Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

Earlier this year, the Federal Territories Ministry had proposed a tram service in the garden city by 2019.

SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said the study is under way and will be completed by December.

Attempts to obtain official comments from MMC were unsuccessful at press time.

For representational purpose only. A new four carriage monorail train crosses Jalan Tun Sambathan monorail depot
after it was launched by Rapid Rail Monorail Line in Kuala Lumpur on July 4, 2016. — Bernama

(Reported by theSundaily - http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1979893)

U all have been conned by PBT to settle summonses

allthefivehorizon — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 02:09:40 +0800

Posted on 23 August 2016 - 12:02am
Last updated on 23 August 2016 - 01:47am
Shahrim Tamrin
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Unpaid parking fines are not blacklisted, says Ministry

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi has cleared the air over the policy to blacklist vehicles for not settling summonses.

Aziz told theSun ‎that ‎only traffic offenders with outstanding summonses under the Road Transport Act 1987 are blacklisted.

In addressing the public confusion on the ultimatum by local councils to settle outstanding parking and traffic summonses, he said, only three local governments so far have been given access to integrate with the Road Transport Department (RTD) system for RTD to blacklist vehicles with outstanding traffic summonses.

They are Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).

Aziz also confirmed that the blacklisting by RTD won't be applicable for unpaid parking compounds issued by local councils.

"For example, if you don't pay parking fees for designated parking bays provided by local councils and receive summonses, it is only an offence under local government by-laws such as Road Traffic Order (Metered Car Park) and Road Traffic Order (Provision Regarding Car Parks)."

He added local councils could haul up errant motorists to court for outstanding parking compounds.

Aziz said summonses issued by local councils for parking at bus stops and fire hydrants, driving or riding on pedestrian walkways, parking on yellow lines and other similar offences, come under the definition of traffic offences.

He said 125 local councils have already applied to link up with the RTD database with the purpose to obtain the address of vehicle owners who didn't settle the compounds.

"This is just for data sharing with local councils for them to send out reminders to car owners to settle unpaid fines and not for the purpose of blacklisting," said Aziz.

Till last December, City Hall had launched special discount campaigns to coax motorists to clear nearly two million outstanding summonses issued between 2007 and 2013.

In March, MBPJ had succeeded in collecting RM1.6 million after offering a two-month period for discounts up to 80% for traffic and parking summonses issued as far back as 1999.

"Many paid (the fines) after we stated that vehicles with outstanding compounds will be blacklisted by the RTD," Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Aziz Mohd Zain had said.

(Reported by theSundaily)