Thousands lack motor insurance
VTAREC coordinator Mas Tina Abdul Hamid said the findings were based on a study of 740,000 cases of road accidents in 2023, which revealed that insurance claims for damages were only filed for 40% of the cases.
'We found that insurance claims were only made for 299,000 accident cases.
'While police reports were lodged by the parties involved in the accidents, not all the cases saw insurance claims being filed.
'We believe this is likely because certain vehicle owners did not make an insurance claim as they did not possess motor insurance.
'This might seem unimportant, but not having motor insurance can have serious consequences.
'Motor insurance does not only cover the damage to our vehicles but most importantly provides compensation for victims who suffer injuries, or the next of kin of those killed in the event of an accident,' she said at a soft launch ceremony of the council's Vehicle Theft and Road Accident Awareness campaign at a hotel here yesterday.
However, Mas Tina said the lower insurance claims could also be a case of motorists who chose not to make a claim for minor repairs and bear the costs themselves to preserve their no-claims discount.
She also revealed that road accident fatalities were highest among motorcyclists and pillion riders – making up to 70% of the annual average of 6,000 deaths.
However, she said only 13% of accident cases were caused by motorcyclists, although their numbers were 12 times higher than cars.
The study revealed that 67% of accidents were caused by cars, while 20% were caused by commercial vehicles.
'Often, bikers are blamed for accidents, but here we have learnt that it is car drivers who need greater awareness on road safety and need to be educated on defensive driving.
'The annual average of fatalities remains alarming. The yearly deaths from accidents can fill graves that may require space the size of six football fields.
'On average, one motorist is killed every 80 minutes.
'Human error is the primary cause of road crashes, making up to eight out of the 10 factors that cause traffic crashes,' added Mas Tina.
Last year, the vehicle insurance industry recorded 266,716 accident claims, a 11% decline compared with 299,657 cases in 2023.
Mas Tina said 86% of the claims in 2024 involved cars, about 5% motorcycles and 8% commercial vehicles.
As for vehicle thefts, she said on average, a vehicle gets stolen in Malaysia every two hours.
She said in 2023, 4,086 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide, of which 51% were motorcycles, 41% cars and the rest commercial vehicles.
Selangor reported the highest number of cases, followed by Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Sarawak.
Based on last year's statistics, six out of 10 cars targeted by thieves were Malaysian-made.
She said most of them were old models that were stolen to be cannibalised for spare parts.
Also present at the event were VTAREC director Datuk Ooi Win Juat, representatives from traffic police and other government agencies.
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Daily Express
2 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Cyberbullying surge among Malaysian youth sparks concern
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: What's alarming is that this toxic behaviour appears to be 'infecting' children and adolescents in the country. - Bernama pic Kuala Lumpur: About four years ago, Malaysian netizens made headlines around the world for their bold stance against Israel, most notably through the hashtag #IsraelKoyak. Nicknamed the 'Bawang Army' or 'Bawang Rangers' they not only circulated posters condemning the Zionist regime following bombings in Palestine but also flooded the social media pages of the Israeli Defence Forces, earning praise from the global community. But behind this display of bravery and unity lies a darker side of Malaysian Internet users – those who use social media platforms to bully others, a trend that is becoming increasingly concerning. Their targets are not just ordinary individuals or local celebrities, but international athletes as well. Among them is Japanese cyclist Shinji Nakano, who was bombarded with abusive comments after being accused of deliberately causing Malaysian cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sarom to miss out on a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. What's alarming is that this toxic behaviour appears to be 'infecting' children and adolescents in the country. This group of young and inexperienced social media users are not only targeting their peers but also brazenly bullying older persons. NO COMPASSION Often under the guise of joking, these taunts are hurled without compassion or empathy for the feelings of those on the receiving end. These youths rarely consider the consequences their actions may have on others or themselves. 'My friends made fun of my photo on TikTok. They commented on my skin, saying I looked as dark as charcoal. I felt so ashamed,' Saffiya (not her real name), a 12-year-old pupil, told Bernama. She said the incident, which happened last year, shattered her self-confidence. It left her feeling depressed, unwilling to go to school, distancing herself from friends, fearful of using her phone and frequently crying when alone. Thankfully, she had parents and teachers who were attentive to the changes in her behaviour. She was taken to see a counsellor, while the bullies were given a stern warning. 'Even though we're just kids, we can still get hurt. Don't think body shaming is a joke,' she said. MALAYSIA RANKS SECOND IN ASIA According to a report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Malaysia ranks second in Asia for cyberbullying among youths, behind China. On a global scale, the country is ranked fifth after Peru, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, reflecting the seriousness of the issue in Malaysia. A study conducted last year by global market research and consulting firm Ipsos revealed that nearly 47 percent of parents knew at least one child in their community who had been a victim of cyberbullying. And, one in four parents believed their own child had experienced online bullying. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reported receiving 8,339 complaints related to cyberbullying – an average of 27 cases per day – between January and Nov 1 last year. These statistics underscore the urgent need for a safer online ecosystem for social media users. Acknowledging this need, the Malaysian government announced in November last year that it was studying the feasibility of introducing an Anti-Cyberbullying Act to curb such activities. DEEP IMPACT Commenting on the issue, Dr Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori, a senior lecturer at the Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, said bullying is an act that is done repeatedly with the intention of instilling fear, anger or sadness in the victim. 'Cyberbullying is more dangerous because the use of digital technology allows embarrassing information or images to spread widely and remain online indefinitely,' he said. He added that among the factors that lead teenagers to become bullies are peer pressure and a desire to fit in with like-minded groups. 'Many of their (bullies') actions are driven by group conformity... they just follow what the group is doing and rarely use their own judgment to assess whether what they're doing is right or wrong,' he told Bernama. According to the health education expert, bullies often present a different persona in front of their parents compared to when they are engaging in cyberbullying. SIGNS OF VICTIMISATION Mohd Nazir said signs a child may be experiencing cyberbullying include a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, a tendency to keep to themselves, looking gloomy and showing fear whenever they hear the sound of phone notifications. He also warned that without intervention from parents or guardians, victims of bullying are at risk of developing mental health issues. He believes that to combat cyberbullying, merely limiting children's Internet access is not enough. 'We've to educate them first,' he said, adding, 'We need to teach our children what their (smart) devices are for. For example, if a child enjoys drawing, parents should help them choose appropriate apps and review their work weekly.' He is also of the view that children should not have social media accounts as they lack the maturity to give informed consent and are vulnerable to digital dangers such as privacy breaches and interaction with strangers. Sharing the same view, Dr Zulfikar Ahmad, senior psychology officer at the Psychological and Counselling Services Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, believes that smartphones should only be given to a child based on his or her maturity level. He said parents should not justify giving smartphones to their children solely for safety or educational purposes. 'If we don't even know what our children are doing with these devices, who they are interacting with... we are actually exposing them to all kinds of risks, not just cyberbullying,' he said, advising parents to be more alert to behavioural changes in their children who are using smartphones. STRICTER PENALTIES On July 11, the government enforced amendments to the Penal Code (Amendment) 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2025 aimed at strengthening efforts to combat cyberbullying. The amendments also introduce new sections, namely Sections 507B to 507G, which allow for faster and stricter action against those who break the law. Section 507D(2), for example, provides for penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine for offences involving threatening, insulting or abusive communication that leads to suicide attempts due to provocation. Commenting on these amendments, Dr Mohd Nazir said enforcement should also come in the form of advocacy and education so that people understand why such behaviour is wrong and are made aware of the consequences of their actions on the victims. Zulfikar, meanwhile, suggested that if the cyberbully is a minor or still in school, punishment should take the form of community service, such as cleaning houses of worship or participating in community activities under the supervision of the local people. 'They need to be taught the meaning of responsibility... not punished to the point where they see themselves as bad people. The punishment should educate them so that they think twice before repeating the behaviour,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Cyberbullying surge among Malaysian youth sparks concern
KUALA LUMPUR: About four years ago, Malaysian netizens made headlines around the world for their bold stance against Israel, most notably through the hashtag #IsraelKoyak. Nicknamed the 'Bawang Army' or 'Bawang Rangers' they not only circulated posters condemning the Zionist regime following bombings in Palestine but also flooded the social media pages of the Israeli Defence Forces, earning praise from the global community. But behind this display of bravery and unity lies a darker side of Malaysian Internet users – those who use social media platforms to bully others, a trend that is becoming increasingly concerning. Their targets are not just ordinary individuals or local celebrities, but international athletes as well. Among them is Japanese cyclist Shinji Nakano, who was bombarded with abusive comments after being accused of deliberately causing Malaysian cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sarom to miss out on a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. What's alarming is that this toxic behaviour appears to be 'infecting' children and adolescents in the country. This group of young and inexperienced social media users are not only targeting their peers but also brazenly bullying older persons. NO COMPASSION Often under the guise of joking, these taunts are hurled without compassion or empathy for the feelings of those on the receiving end. These youths rarely consider the consequences their actions may have on others or themselves. 'My friends made fun of my photo on TikTok. They commented on my skin, saying I looked as dark as charcoal. I felt so ashamed,' Saffiya (not her real name), a 12-year-old pupil, told Bernama. She said the incident, which happened last year, shattered her self-confidence. It left her feeling depressed, unwilling to go to school, distancing herself from friends, fearful of using her phone and frequently crying when alone. Thankfully, she had parents and teachers who were attentive to the changes in her behaviour. She was taken to see a counsellor, while the bullies were given a stern warning. 'Even though we're just kids, we can still get hurt. Don't think body shaming is a joke,' she said. MALAYSIA RANKS SECOND IN ASIA According to a report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Malaysia ranks second in Asia for cyberbullying among youths, behind China. On a global scale, the country is ranked fifth after Peru, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, reflecting the seriousness of the issue in Malaysia. A study conducted last year by global market research and consulting firm Ipsos revealed that nearly 47 percent of parents knew at least one child in their community who had been a victim of cyberbullying. And, one in four parents believed their own child had experienced online bullying. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reported receiving 8,339 complaints related to cyberbullying – an average of 27 cases per day – between January and Nov 1 last year. These statistics underscore the urgent need for a safer online ecosystem for social media users. Acknowledging this need, the Malaysian government announced in November last year that it was studying the feasibility of introducing an Anti-Cyberbullying Act to curb such activities. DEEP IMPACT Commenting on the issue, Dr Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori, a senior lecturer at the Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, said bullying is an act that is done repeatedly with the intention of instilling fear, anger or sadness in the victim. 'Cyberbullying is more dangerous because the use of digital technology allows embarrassing information or images to spread widely and remain online indefinitely,' he said. He added that among the factors that lead teenagers to become bullies are peer pressure and a desire to fit in with like-minded groups. 'Many of their (bullies') actions are driven by group conformity... they just follow what the group is doing and rarely use their own judgment to assess whether what they're doing is right or wrong,' he told Bernama. According to the health education expert, bullies often present a different persona in front of their parents compared to when they are engaging in cyberbullying. SIGNS OF VICTIMISATION Mohd Nazir said signs a child may be experiencing cyberbullying include a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, a tendency to keep to themselves, looking gloomy and showing fear whenever they hear the sound of phone notifications. He also warned that without intervention from parents or guardians, victims of bullying are at risk of developing mental health issues. He believes that to combat cyberbullying, merely limiting children's Internet access is not enough. 'We've to educate them first,' he said, adding, 'We need to teach our children what their (smart) devices are for. For example, if a child enjoys drawing, parents should help them choose appropriate apps and review their work weekly.' He is also of the view that children should not have social media accounts as they lack the maturity to give informed consent and are vulnerable to digital dangers such as privacy breaches and interaction with strangers. Sharing the same view, Dr Zulfikar Ahmad, senior psychology officer at the Psychological and Counselling Services Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, believes that smartphones should only be given to a child based on his or her maturity level. He said parents should not justify giving smartphones to their children solely for safety or educational purposes. 'If we don't even know what our children are doing with these devices, who they are interacting with... we are actually exposing them to all kinds of risks, not just cyberbullying,' he said, advising parents to be more alert to behavioural changes in their children who are using smartphones. STRICTER PENALTIES On July 11, the government enforced amendments to the Penal Code (Amendment) 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2025 aimed at strengthening efforts to combat cyberbullying. The amendments also introduce new sections, namely Sections 507B to 507G, which allow for faster and stricter action against those who break the law. Section 507D(2), for example, provides for penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine for offences involving threatening, insulting or abusive communication that leads to suicide attempts due to provocation. Commenting on these amendments, Dr Mohd Nazir said enforcement should also come in the form of advocacy and education so that people understand why such behaviour is wrong and are made aware of the consequences of their actions on the victims. Zulfikar, meanwhile, suggested that if the cyberbully is a minor or still in school, punishment should take the form of community service, such as cleaning houses of worship or participating in community activities under the supervision of the local people. 'They need to be taught the meaning of responsibility... not punished to the point where they see themselves as bad people. The punishment should educate them so that they think twice before repeating the behaviour,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Three nabbed, RM4.7mil of syabu seized in raids
Stopping the flow: DCP Mohamed Usuf (centre) and other senior officers displaying the drugs seized in the raids. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Three members of a drug distribution syndicate were caught after simultaneous raids led to the seizure of RM4.7mil worth of syabu. The arrests were made last Thursday after two raids were conducted in the Klang Valley. The first raid saw the arrest of a syndicate member at a shopping mall car park, said acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad. 'Inspections of his vehicle led to the discovery of a bag containing around 10.34kg of suspected syabu. 'At the same time, a second raid at the same area led to the arrest of two other suspects, including an Indonesian,' he said. In total, three men aged between 32 and 61 were nabbed. The arrests were made while the suspects were moving the drugs around. Follow-up investigations led to another raid at a terrace house within a gated community in Seri Kembangan, where 122 packages of suspected syabu weighing 135.34kg were seized. The total seized drugs were estimated to be worth around RM4.66mil. 'It is believed that this syndicate has been active since May. 'The two Malaysian men arrested were believed to be the main leader and transporter,' DCP Mohamed Usuf said. He added that the house owner would be called in to record his statement. For now, investigations are ongoing to determine the role of the Indonesian member of the syndicate and to trace more members of the syndicate. It is believed that the group was distributing the drugs in and around the Klang Valley, as well as to Indonesia. All the suspects have been remanded for six to seven days from last Friday.
