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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Azeem charges into World University Games semis
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's fastest man, Azeem Fahmi, won his heat to qualify for the 100m semi-finals in the World University Games at Bochum, Germany yesterday. The 21-year-old Auburn University student in Alabama, United States, clocked 10.57. He registered the 13th fastest time among 54 sprinters. Another Malaysian, Aliff Iman Fahmi clocked 11.09 to finish fifth in heat five. Thailand's Puripol Boonson achieved the fastest heat time of 10.23. Sea Games gold medallist Umar Osman qualified for the men's 400m semi-finals after posting 46.97 to finish fourth in heat four. In the men's 400m hurdles, Fakhrul Afizul Nasir timed 1:11.87 to finish eighth and last in heat two. Meanwhile, Olympian Azreen Nabila Alias of University Putra Malaysia registered 12.04 to finish seventh in the women's 100m heat four. Nur Afrina Batrisyia from UPM did not qualify for the women's 100m semi-finals after clocking 12.32 to finish fifth in heat three.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Temporary road diversion between Sg Besi toll plaza and UPM interchange
KUALA LUMPUR: A temporary road diversion will be activated in stages tonight between the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza and the UPM Interchange at Km309.7 (both directions) to facilitate gantry installation works. In a statement, Plus Malaysia Bhd (Plus) said the works will take place from 12.01am to 5am. During this period, southbound traffic from Sungai Besi Toll heading to UPM, Kajang or Bangi will be diverted to the BHP petrol station route after entering the toll plaza. "Northbound traffic from Bangi or Kajang heading to Kuala Lumpur or Sungai Besi will be diverted at the UPM Toll Plaza and redirected to the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya) as an alternative route," read the statement. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys and follow traffic signs and instructions from Plus personnel on site. For the latest traffic updates, users can refer to the PLUS App, PUTRI virtual assistant, X @plustrafik, selected electronic message boards (VMS), or call the PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000 for assistance. – Bernama
Borneo Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Academician: Proposal of adding more DUN Sarawak seats ‘a strategic necessity'
Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman BINTULU (July 15): As the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak faces significant challenges in governance and political representation, which directly affect administrative efficiency and the well-being of its diverse communities. In pointing this out, Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman said the sheer size of some constituencies had forced the elected people's representatives to inefficiently divide their time for and attention to the constituents. 'This (vast constituencies) limits their capacity to engage meaningfully with their constituents, often leaving them with little time to fully understand and address the needs and issues of their electorate in a comprehensive and holistic manner. 'Moreover, the relatively short term of office adds pressure on the elected representatives, especially when serving expansive and hard-to-reach constituencies. 'The challenge he said is further compounded when these constituencies include suburban, rural, or rapidly developing areas where rising population density leads to the expansion of new settlements. 'This situation often results in constrained outreach by the representatives, causing some segments of society to feel neglected and dissatisfied,' said the associate professor from the Department of Social Sciences and Management at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak, in a statement. In view of these issues, he said the proposal to increase the number of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats could be seen as a forward-looking strategy to overcome such limitations. He added that by carving out more constituencies, each representative would be responsible for a smaller area, allowing for a more focused and effective attention to local issues. 'This would align with the need to restructure state administration in a more detailed and efficient manner; thereby, enhancing the effectiveness of development efforts toward achieving high-income state status.' Furthermore, Mohamad Maulana said this initiative held the potential of strengthening the local democratic system by fostering greater community involvement in decision-making processes. He said voters would experience a closer and more active presence from their elected representatives, promoting constructive two-way communication. 'This, in turn, would bolster public trust and the legitimacy of democratic institutions, while improving the overall quality of public services.' Mohamad Maulana said overall, he viewed the proposal of adding more state constituencies in Sarawak as 'a strategic necessity'. 'It is not merely a remedial measure to address geographical constraints, but also a proactive effort to enhance political representation, accelerate development, and promote social well-being. 'Such plan reaffirms the government's commitment to fair, inclusive and competitive governance for the benefit of all Sarawakians, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or location. 'It also reflects a long-term vision to build a progressive, stable, and highly civilised state,' said the academician. diverse communities Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman lead representation
The Star
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Cycling safely begins with awareness on the road
Safety in numbers: A group of cyclists travelling along Jalan Kuala Selangor-Jalan Batu Arang. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Closer collaboration must be made between transport authorities and cycling enthusiasts to ensure that cyclists don't get involved in traffic mishaps, says a road safety expert. Associate Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said the authorities in collaboration with cycling clubs should educate cyclists on the selection of safe routes and group riding etiquette. 'Group cycling should be planned and registered, especially when it involves highways. Mass cycling events should be conducted only with sufficient marshalling and safety measures. 'Consultation with traffic authorities should also be carried out,' he said in an interview. Law was commenting on an incident last Sunday of an altercation between a bus driver and cyclists obstructing a bus lane at KM23 of the Kuala Selangor-Kuala Lumpur road. 'Policy-wise, it would be prudent to ban cyclists from highways and high-speed traffic roads unless they are participating in officially sanctioned events. As much as cyclists must be recognised as legitimate road users, it should not be to the extent of compromising their safety on the road.' Law said a short-term move would be to enforce regulations that determine where cyclists may cycle. 'This includes putting limitations on highways where there are no bike lanes or shoulders wide enough for cyclists to pass safely. 'Highways are built primarily for high-speed motorised traffic. 'A wind blast from a passing lorry or a momentary lapse of judgement of a motor vehicle driver or even the cyclist can have catastrophic consequences,' he added. While it is understandable for cyclists to seek equal rights for the use of roads as other commuters, he said being on roads where speeds exceed 110kph poses a major safety risk. 'They are endangering themselves and other road users. The majority of cyclists may underestimate the risks they subject themselves to when using such roads,' Law said. Malaysian Road and Transportation Safety Association adviser and former president Nik Mohd Salim Nik Mohd Salleh said Malaysian roads are not designed for recreational riding for cyclists, especially when they are in large numbers and move in a convoy. 'When this happens, they may end up hogging traffic as what occurred in the Kuala Selangor incident. The authorities should find ways to enable this healthy activity to be carried out in a safe and controlled environment. 'Perhaps, a road stretch in every district can be dedicated at certain times and days for cyclist to ride with police and local council officials present to oversee their safety.' Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh said cyclists should use safety gear such as helmets at all times, suitable footwear and reflective gear when they ride at night. 'Cyclists riding at night on public roads in mixed traffic should be discouraged due to visibility issues. Cyclists ride at an average speed of 25kph or even lower. Such low speeds travelling with regular or high-speed traffic may leave them prone to mishaps.' Meanwhile, federal police traffic investigation and enforcement department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said cyclists should avoid expressways as fast-moving traffic may pose a serious and potentially deadly threat to their safety. To minimise the risk of accidents, recreational cyclists should ride at parks where such activity is allowed or at residential areas where traffic density is lower, he added. Mohd Yusri said more emphasis is given to overseeing the flow of motorised vehicles on Malaysian roads and that cycling activities are encouraged only during certain time periods or events such as City Hall's KL Car Free Morning held twice a month. He said Rule LN167/59 of the Traffic Sign Rules 1959 states that bicycles, tricycles, rickshaws and animal-drawn carriages are prohibited from entering highways. Comm Mohd Yusri said cyclists should comply with 18 rules under Rule LN165/59 of the Traffic Sign Rules 1959, which among them include the use of hand signals to indicate turning or stopping and to use the safest lane possible that is furthest from fast-moving traffic. 'Highway concessionaires and local councils should put up signboards that clearly prohibit this category of vehicles from expressways,' he added. Those who do not comply with the order can face fines of between RM1,000 and RM5,000, or imprisonment up to a year under Section 70(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Expert: Strict rules, bicycle lanes needed to ensure safety
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should consider enforcing stricter regulations and investing in dedicated cycling lanes to avoid endangering cyclists and other motorists, says a transport safety expert. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said the absence of separate infrastructure for cyclists not only endangers them, but also compromises the safety of other road users, especially on high-speed highways. "In Singapore and many European countries, cyclists are prohibited from using expressways. "Governments there have invested in dedicated cycling lanes that offer a safe alternative without compromising the long-distance experience often sought by recreational cyclists. "Malaysia should follow this approach by creating safe, parallel lanes for cyclists that do not interfere with main road traffic," he said today. He was commenting on the need for dedicated bicycle lanes in the country. This followed a recent viral video showing a group of cyclists confronting a bus driver after alleging that the latter tried to run over them at the road side. The incident reportedly occurred at Km23 of Jalan Kuala Selangor–Kuala Lumpur, heading towards Sungai Buloh, after the Batu Arang traffic light junction in Kuala Selangor. Police later sought the cyclists to investigate whether they were obstructing traffic. Law said the government should also consider a ban on cyclists from using highways and high-speed roads unless they were participating in officially sanctioned events. "Highways are specifically designed for high-speed motor traffic and do not take into account the vulnerability of cyclists. "Large-scale cycling events should only be held with proper supervision, planned safety measures and preferably in consultation with traffic enforcement agencies. "This is standard practice in other countries, where large cycling events are strictly controlled, and unsupervised access to expressways is never permitted," he said. He added that while cyclists had the right as other road users, their presence on highways designed for speeds over 110kph could pose serious safety risks. "As much as cyclists deserve to be acknowledged as road users, their safety — and the safety of others — requires a more structured and controlled approach to where and how they ride. "High-speed highways are neither suitable nor safe for uncontrolled cycling activities. "A combination of strict regulation, enforcement, public education, and infrastructure investment is needed to allow cycling to flourish as a healthy and sustainable mode of transport without compromising road safety," he said.
