MIRI: Sarawak’s Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin. has issued a blunt warning to young motorcyclists: treat your licence as a responsibility, or risk becoming another statistic in Malaysia’s mounting road death toll.
Speaking at the closing of the B2 Motorcycle Licence Assistance and Transport Awareness Behavioural Change (T-ABC) programmes here on Sunday, Lee said motorcyclists, particularly youths, remain the most vulnerable road users.
Malaysia records around 6,000 road fatalities each year, equal to almost 20 deaths a day, according to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).
“This licence is not permission to speed. It is a trust. The road does not forgive carelessness,” he said.
“One second of recklessness can cost your life. Courage is not measured by speed.”
A total of 603 participants in Miri have obtained their motorcycle licences through the myLesen initiative, introduced in 2024 to help lower-income youth qualify legally at minimal cost.
Lee thanked JPJ Miri and partner agencies for ensuring the programme ran smoothly.
However, he raised concern over a rise in illegal street racing cases reported in Miri between 2023 and 2024.
“We provide assistance so young people can travel safely and work to support their families, not to race on public roads. Do not throw away this opportunity,” he said.
Lee urged youths to use their licences for practical and meaningful purposes.
“Use it to take your parents to their medical appointments. Use it to get to work. The value of a life cannot be replaced,” he added.
He said the Sarawak Government continues to invest in improving road quality statewide, and highlighted the development of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system in Kuching as part of a wider drive to enhance mobility and safety.
But infrastructure alone is not enough.
“Campaigns and facilities mean nothing if attitudes do not change,” he said. “Real safety begins with discipline, respect for the law, and accountability.”
Also present was Sarawak JPJ Director, Norizan Jili.
