Latest news with #SarawakJPJ


Borneo Post
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Borneo Post
Sarawak express bus operators given grace period to retrofit seat belts, must show proof
Lee (left) speaks to reporters during the press conference while Norizan looks on. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 3): Express bus operators in Sarawak with vehicles older than five years have been given 'reasonable timeframe' to retrofit seat belts, in line with the latest safety regulation by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), now in force nationwide. However, Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin stressed that operators must provide verifiable proof that retrofitting efforts are underway. 'We have a reasonable timeframe, but operators must show proof that orders have been placed,' Lee told a press conference after inspecting express buses at Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal here today. Also present was Sarawak JPJ Director Norizan Jili. While no specific deadline has been set, JPJ encouraged bus operators who owned buses that were manufactured before 2020 to install seat belts as soon as possible. According to official JPJ guidelines, operators who fail to provide proof of official order or booking receipt will be issued a PG1 notice, which is a directive prohibiting the use of the vehicle until the issue is rectified and inspected by JPJ. PG1 notices are typically issued for technical violations, such as unauthorised modifications or safety non-compliance. To date, only 40 express buses in Sarawak have been equipped with seat belts, as they were manufactured after January 1, 2020. The remaining 224 older buses, built before that date, have yet to be equipped with the safety feature. Lee said this step is being taken despite the regulation mandating the installation and use of seat belts on all express and tour buses having come into effect on July 1, 2025. Under this enforcement, a compound fine of RM300 will be imposed on bus drivers and passengers who fail to comply with the regulation. With the Pan Borneo Highway nearing completion, Lee said immediate action has to be taken to ensure road users cooperate and take road safety seriously. 'We have already started seeing accidents, including fatal ones, occurring along the Pan Borneo Highway,' he said. To raise awareness, Lee urged bus operators to install multilingual seat belt reminder stickers in Malay, Mandarin, and English at passenger seats. For buses equipped with TV screens, safety messages should be played before departure. Lee also encouraged tour guides and bus drivers to make in-bus announcements. When asked if stage buses are included in this road safety measure, Lee clarified that it does not apply to stage buses operating within city areas, as these typically involve slower speeds and shorter travel distances. On June 29, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli announced that all express and tour bus drivers and passengers must wear seat belts starting July 1. He said JPJ had previously focused on an advocacy approach, but starting July 1, not only will drivers and passengers who fail to wear seat belts face enforcement action, but the bus operating company will also be penalised. express bus JPJ lead Lee Kim Shin seat belts


The Star
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
EV plates must meet JPJ specs, even if not mandatory, says Sarawak Transport Minister
KUCHING: All electric vehicle (EV) dealers and owners in Sarawak should ensure their number plates comply with the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) ePlate's specifications, even though it is currently not mandatory. Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said that while his ministry is not the implementing agency, its role is to help ensure that the public and industry stakeholders receive timely and accurate information. "Although the ePlate is not yet compulsory, EV owners are strongly encouraged to adopt it in line with national efforts to improve enforcement, standardisation, and to support road safety and emergency response operations," he said in a statement on Friday (May 9). He explained that fire and rescue operations involving electric vehicles require different handling protocols due to the high-voltage battery systems. "When emergency responders can quickly identify that a vehicle is electric, they can act more effectively and safely using the correct rescue techniques," he added. Lee said the ePlate initiative, which currently applies only to cars, is a federal policy and remains in its voluntary phase. During this period, enforcement is advisory in nature, and no compounds are issued. His reminder comes after a recent case where an EV owner in Sarawak received a notice from JPJ regarding non-compliance with ePlate specifications, raising public concern. Lee said Sarawak JPJ later clarified that the notice issued was merely advisory with no further action to be taken as the plate met the required specifications. "We appreciate JPJ's quick response in reviewing the case and issuing clarification. This incident highlights the importance of public awareness and understanding of new initiatives," he said. He also emphasised that green mobility is not only a global trend but a key pillar in Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aims to position the state as a developed and sustainable region. - Bernama