The Transport Ministry has addressed some of the concerns regarding the amendments to the Road Transport Act, which were passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
It addressed the provision to make illegal street racing a specific offence, clarifying that this is not intended to penalize isolated speeding or overtaking incidents.
It says the new law will only go after racing, competitive-based speeding and other deliberately reckless behaviour.
The ministry also defended the push to raise the maximum penalty for traffic offences to 500 ringgit, saying this is needed to address the increasing number of motorists breaking the law.
It also explained that 500 ringgit is the maximum rate, adding that authorities can still impose lower fines on a case-by-case basis.
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Malaysia needs to brace for the possibility of haze.
According to the Singapore Institute of International Affairs’ Haze Outlook for this year…our part of Southeast Asia…which also includes Brunei and Indonesia…face a high risk of experiencing haze in the coming months.
August and September have been identified as the peak high-risk period, with the threat made worse by the El Nino phenomenon.
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In other developments…
The retail prices of RON97 and un-subsidized RON95 are both down by 25 sen per liter for the coming week…while diesel saw a 30 sen decrease.
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The Finance Ministry says the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah or SARA program has been expanded, to cover more products from local companies.
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The government has agreed to increase the annual grant for Neighborhood Watch Areas nationwide…from six, to ten thousand ringgit.
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Elsewhere…
Multiple buildings have collapsed after two major earthquakes – both measuring over magnitude 7– struck the Venezuelan capital Caracas.
A massive search and rescue operation is currently underway with still no official word on the number of casualties.
