SIBU: Efforts to strengthen road safety education among the younger generation in Sarawak continue to be intensified when the Sarawak Transport Ministry allocates RM350,000 for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Rejang Park Traffic Garden here.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Khim Shin said the Rejang Park Traffic Garden is one of six traffic gardens across the state that received special funds, along with other parks in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Bintulu and Miri.
“This park has played an important role in organising road safety programmes such as Traffic Games for over three decades. Today, it has received a new injection so that it can continue to function as a practical road safety learning field for our students,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Traffic Games (STG) Sibu Edition 2025, on Sunday.
The Senadin assemblyman added that under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), his ministry plans to expand the development of traffic parks throughout the state so that each division has at least one park as a road safety training centre.
Recalling the history of this programme, Lee said the Shell Traffic Games, which was introduced since 1963 through a collaboration between the Sarawak government and Shell Malaysia, had a great impact on road safety education before being discontinued in 2015.
“However, I am very pleased that this legacy has been revived with a new brand in 2024 as STG, now under the full control of the Sarawak Transport Ministry. After Sibu, this programme will continue in Sri Aman and Bintulu by the end of the year,” he said.
He explained that STG is more than just a competition event, it is a simulation-based educational approach that allows students to experience the real experience of being road users.
In this programme, students are given the opportunity to play roles such as cyclists, pedestrians, and even traffic police officers, complete with an enforcement system such as summonses in the event of a violation of the rules.
“Road safety awareness must be instilled from an early age. Children are not just passengers, they are also active road users whether walking to school or riding bicycles,” he said.
He stressed that with interactive and fun learning methods such as STG, noble values such as discipline, responsibility and civics can be instilled among students more effectively.
The Sibu edition of STG 2025 saw the participation of nine primary and secondary schools from around the town. The primary schools involved include SK St Mary, SJK (C) Taman Rajang, SJK (C) Tung Hua and SK Perbandaran Sibu No. 4.
Meanwhile, SMK Methodist, SMK Sungai Merah, SMK Bandar Sibu, SMK Tung Hua and SMK Chung Hua Sibu represent the secondary school level.
“The active involvement of these schools proves the determination and strong support of the education community in producing prudent and responsible road users,” he stated.
Lee also assured that the ministry would continue to expand road safety education initiatives to rural areas, to ensure that no student is left out of this learning opportunity.
Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, Sibu Division Deputy Resident Christopher Ranggau Unting, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horth and other invited guests.
