SIBU: Youths who received motorcycle licences through the MyLesen B2 Programme are urged not to misuse the facility by engaging in illegal racing activities or riding dangerously on the road.
Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, stressed that driving licences obtained through the programme should be used responsibly, not considered as an opportunity to ride without complying with the rules.
According to him, a driving license symbolises the trust given to riders to obey the law and maintain their own safety and that of other road users.
“When someone obtains a licence, it does not mean they are free to ride as they please.
“On the contrary, the licence shows that they are trusted to ride prudently and obey the road laws,” he said at the MyLesen B2 Motorcycle Programme Handover Ceremony organised by N.51 Bukit Assek Service Centre which was held at SMK Sacred Heart Centennial Hall here on Saturday (Mar 7).
Meanwhile, Chieng also revealed that illegal racing activities are still a concern in the Sibu area.
According to him, the police have conducted 59 special operations throughout last year to combat such activities.
“As a result of the operations conducted, a total of 21 individuals have been charged under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987. In addition, a total of 240 motorcycles were also seized and 1,607 summonses have been issued,” he said.
In this regard, he encouraged the youths who benefit from the MyLesen programme to use their licenses for more beneficial purposes such as working, helping their families and improving their status life.
“Use this license for things that bring good things such as sending your parents to the hospital, going to work, earning a decent livelihood and building a better future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Road Transport Department (RTD) Deputy Director, Mohd Faizal David Jemat, said the Driving Licence Assistance (BLM) Programme or MyLesen was introduced to help low-income groups, especially the B40 group, obtain a driving licence at minimal cost.
He said the initiative reflected the government’s efforts to reach out to the grassroots community and ensure that more people have a valid driving licence.
“With strong support from Chieng, a total of 2,867 participants in the area have now succeeded in realising their dream of having a valid driving license,” he said.
He also reminded licence recipients to always prioritise safety when riding motorcycles as motorcyclists are among the biggest contributors to the death rate due to road accidents.
He added that the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research (MIROS) estimated that the country’s economic losses due to road accidents reached approximately RM19.7 billion per year.
“Therefore, all licence recipients are reminded to always obey traffic laws and ride responsibly for the safety of all road users,” he said.
The programme was implemented in collaboration with RTD Sarawak and Akademi Memandu Suria Sibu Sdn Bhd to help youth and low-income communities obtain a motorcycle licence legally.
