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Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Structural reset needed to end crashes plaguing bus industry, says expert
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan says the frequency of bus crashes demands more than just a short-term fix. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Malaysia's bus industry is in urgent need of structural reform to curb the number of fatal crashes plaguing the sector, according to transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan. Earlier this week, Utusan Malaysia reported that more than 203 bus-related accidents were recorded in the country between January 2023 and May this year, resulting in 39 deaths, 68 serious injuries, and 197 minor injuries. Wan Agyl, founder of transport think tank My Mobility Vision, said those statistics showed the country's road safety record was a 'national failure'. 'It demands more than a short-term fix,' he added. Wan Agyl Wan Hassan. He said the accidents, though varied in their specific causes, were ultimately the result of a transport system under severe stress from cost and manpower pressures, as well as regulatory blind spots. 'On one hand, there's growing demand; more people travelling, more school trips, more factory charters. 'On the other hand, there's a severe shortage of trained and full-time drivers, and margins so thin that operators are forced to take risks just to keep their businesses alive,' he told FMT. Police have attributed the crashes to speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, mechanical failures, and pressure exerted on drivers by bus operators. Yusri said driver error was the main factor behind these accidents, adding that many of them were fatigued from driving for too long without rest, while others had little experience operating buses or were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Wan Agyl called for a nationwide employment framework for drivers that ensured fair pay, regulated hours and career stability. He said bus drivers are typically hired on 'loose' contracts rather than given permanent employment—unlike countries like Japan where commercial bus drivers are medically screened, trained and employed under a national system. 'In Singapore, the Land Transport Authority contracts bus services based on performance, not just price, ensuring safety standards are part of the business model. 'Even in Dubai, companies like Dubai Taxi Corporation run structured driver employment systems with safety and service built into their operations. Malaysia can do this, but we haven't,' he said. Wan Agyl said a structural reset would involve digitising compliance so that all commercial buses have real-time GPS devices that record speed and distance. To qualify for operating permits, bus companies should also be required to maintain detailed maintenance logs, he added. 'It means auditing and grading bus operators based on safety performance and disqualifying low-grade firms from winning government or tourism contracts. 'And it means finally enacting laws that hold company directors and operators liable — not just the man at the wheel—when systemic negligence leads to harm,' he said. Wan Agyl called for the formation of a national bus safety task force under the transport ministry, with representation from the road transport department, Land Public Transport Agency, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, and industry players. 'There is no reason for transport safety to be fragmented when lives are at stake,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Expediting reforms will make tax hikes easier to swallow, govt told
World Bank's lead economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, said reducing spending would not be easy as most of it involved 'rigid' costs such as wages, pensions and debt service. PETALING JAYA : The World Bank's lead economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, says expediting reforms – such as enacting a government procurement law – will make the public less hostile towards tax hikes. In a post on X on the expansion of the sales and service tax, Apurva pointed out that the auditor-general regularly uncovered losses in public funds, irregular payments and wastages across various ministries. While some reforms have been carried out, a specific law to oversee government procurement has been delayed, he said. Apurva said reforms would build public trust, which in turn would make it 'easier to swallow bitter tax hikes'. 'Tax hikes are painful but people can bear them, if they're meaningful. 'This means faster progress, especially on governance reforms and that would increase trust.' Apurva said trust was the ultimate currency for any government. On comparisons made between the SST and the goods and services tax, Apurva said that while both were regressive, it could be made progressive via targeted cash transfers and exemptions. 'The current SST expansion does include progressive elements.' On June 9, the finance ministry announced that a 5% to 10% rate would be imposed on non-essential goods from July 1, although basic necessities would not be taxed. The announcement has triggered brickbats. Apurva also responded to those questioning the government's decision to raise taxes instead of reducing spending. He said while it was a fair question, the country needed to spend more, which meant it needed to raise more revenue. The finance ministry previously said that the SST collection is expected to increase by RM5 billion in 2025 and by RM10 billion in 2026, following the expansion of its scope. Apurva noted that both revenue and spending had dropped by 30% since 2012, which was well below those of global peers. 'Spending needs are only growing, especially as Malaysia ages,' he said, adding that reducing spending would not be easy as most of it involved 'rigid' costs such as wages, pensions and debt service which accounted for 57% of operation expenditure.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Plug leakages to ensure SST income not squandered, govt told
The government expects to generate an additional RM5 billion from the upcoming SST this year, and RM10 billion from 2026 onwards. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The government needs to plug inefficiencies in its departments and agencies to ensure the additional RM10 billion in yearly revenue expected from an expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) regime is spent wisely, an economist said. Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff of Putra Business School said the government is currently prioritising procurement reform by introducing an open tender system to replace direct negotiations. Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff. He said the open tender system offers a more structured approach which is essential to prevent wastage in public spending. 'Reforms to the procurement system are vital if we want to discourage graft and ensure that the additional RM10 billion in revenue earned from the expanded SST is not dissipated. 'Statistics show that a majority of cases involving wastage, leakages and corruption stem from a weak procurement system,' he told FMT. In a recent interview with FMT, Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican said the government was in the midst of reforming the procurement system to ensure revenue is spent optimally and to curb leakages. Johan said the government was expected to generate an additional RM5 billion this year from the SST expansion which kicks in next month. The SST is expected to generate RM10 billion annually beginning next year. Earlier this month, the finance ministry announced that a 5% to 10% rate will be imposed on non-essential goods from July 1, including rent, lease, construction, financial services, private healthcare and education. However, basic necessities will retain its tax exempt status. With the expansion, the government expects the SST to generate RM51.7 billion in revenue this year. Afzanizam Rashid. Separately, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid said the procurement reforms, being implemented alongside the SST, would help narrow the country's fiscal deficit. He said the dual initiatives would broaden fiscal space, enabling the government to enhance social assistance and allocate more funds for infrastructure development. Afzanizam said the increase in service tax to 8% in March last year bumped up SST collection by 30.3% in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, the implementation of targeted diesel subsidies has reduced spending on subsidies and social aid by 19.4%. 'The increased tax collection and reduced spending saw the fiscal deficit drop to 4.5% of the gross domestic product for the first quarter of 2024. 'This has allowed the government to increase aid for its Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programmes to RM13 billion this year, up from RM10 billion in 2024.'
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Reveal value of airbase calibration job, says MP
Former deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz also urged the defence ministry to disclose if any penalty had been imposed on the company that failed to deliver four Black Hawk helicopters. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A former deputy defence minister has called on the government to reveal the value of a new contract awarded to a firm which failed to supply four Black Hawk helicopters for the military last year. Tanah Merah MP Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said the defence ministry should explain the rationale for awarding the contract involving three military air bases to Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd. Ikmal said, if true, it would be an 'unhealthy' culture in terms of defence asset procurement. 'The government must reveal the value of the contract in line with the principle of transparency. All the more since this is the same company that failed to supply the much-needed Black Hawk helicopters,' the Bersatu MP told FMT. On Wednesday, FMT reported that Aerotree had been awarded a contract to calibrate the instrument landing system equipment for fixed-wing aircraft at three military air bases. This came eight months after the defence ministry cancelled a RM187 million Black Hawk lease contract it signed with the firm after it failed to deliver the aircraft despite three date revisions. The four helicopters, leased for five years, were intended to serve as a platform for the army's Air Team Nucleus, supporting both training and operational flight missions. Ikmal, who chairs Perikatan Nasional's defence bureau, urged the defence ministry to disclose if any penalty had been imposed on the company for failing to deliver the helicopters. He said the public deserved to know the company's track record in military procurement and defence facility development, especially in light of its failure in the previous deal. FMT has reached out to the defence ministry for comment.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
From nature tables to UK's Royal Society: Ravigadevi's love for science
Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi will be officially inducted into UK's Royal Society as a Fellow on July 11. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : Turning 70 years old is an incredible milestone, but for Turning 70 years old is an incredible milestone, but for Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi , the occasion will be extra special. On July 11, two days before she celebrates her birthday, Ravigadevi will be officially inducted into UK's Royal Society as a Fellow, making history as the first Malaysian to receive the honour. As part of the ceremony, Ravigadevi, a scientific consultant with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), will sign the centuries-old Royal Society's Charter Book, which bears the signatures of scientific greats such as Charles Darwin, known for his theory of evolution. In a recent interview, FMT Lifestyle learnt more about the woman behind this remarkable achievement. Her love for science was sparked in part by a 'nature table' at her primary school, Convent Bukit Nanas. She said students were encouraged to bring items found in nature, display them, and explain them to their classmates. 'Everyone learns from it. And it was such a fun way of learning,' she recalled. Her passion for science deepened in secondary school where she developed a love for chemistry, an interest that would later shape her future career. To this today, Ravigadevi remembers the dedication of her teachers, especially her late chemistry teacher, Mrs Maniam. 'She played a key role in my love for chemistry. She really knew how to nurture a love for the subject. That's why I say teachers play such an important role in getting kids to appreciate a subject.' Ravigadevi has received numerous accolades throughout her career – and has even met theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) At home, education was a priority for her parents. 'They never pushed us, but they also told us, 'It's up to you what you want to do. We won't tell you to be a lawyer or a doctor – you decide. But what you do, you must do the best,' she said. And that's exactly what she did. Throughout her career, Ravigadevi led transformative research in oil palm biochemistry and genomics, recognising its importance to Malaysia's economy. She became the founding director of the advanced biotechnology and breeding centre at MPOB, and led the oil palm genome project, successfully deciphering the genetic blueprint of the crop. She also helmed the team that identified the Shell gene, a key determinant of oil yields, uncovering the epigenetic cause of an abnormality that could potentially reduce yields significantly. These breakthroughs were published in the science journal, 'Nature'. She has received numerous accolades including the 'Knight of the International Order of Merit of Inventors' by the International Federation of Inventors Association'; the 'Tan Sri Augustine Ong Lifetime Achievement Award for Inventions and Innovations in Oil Palm'; and the 'Intel Environment Laureate' distinction from the Tech Museum, US. Ravigadevi credits her research team at MPOB for helping conduct breakthrough oil palm research. (Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi pic) She is also immensely grateful to her research team at MPOB as well as those from Orion Genomics USA and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory who she worked with. 'We can be the best if we want to. We just need the right ecosystem to thrive. And I was just so blessed that I had the right ecosystem, both in terms of infrastructure and support from my bosses and team. 'In order to be a good leader, you must also be a good team player. You cannot be one and not the other,' she said. Teamwork was also instrumental in helping her balance the demands of career and family – this time, with her husband, whom she described as 'very, very supportive'. Ravigadevi also made it a point to introduce her three children to her work, sparking their curiosity from young. Today, they are carving their own paths in economics, biotechnology and law, having studied in Harvard and MIT. Ravigadevi with her husband, Dr Subramaniam Krishnan and son, Abhilaash Subramaniam. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) Just like her parents, she has valued education, actively participating in the parent-teacher associations of her children's schools, focusing on the education portfolio. She has also given free tuition, including to students from low-income families. To younger women scientists in Malaysia, she shared: 'Dare to dream big. Dare to fail. Dream – that's very, very important. Please don't ever stop that. Don't ever think you can't do it. Don't let anybody else define your limits. 'But at the same time, be grounded in good science. You have to get your basics right. And go do it. You can do it. We need you. We need more women in science.' Learn more about Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi here.
