Text and pictures by Wahid Ooi Abdullah
19th June 2017, Dataran Bentong, Pahang – Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn. Bhd. (HLYM) has been carrying out road safety campaigns annually during Ramadhan, in order to inculcate safety riding and motorcycle maintenance. These campaigns are carried out at selected locations throughout the country and supported by various governmental and corporate bodies such as JKJR, Royal Malaysian Police, Road Transport Department, Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA), P&O Insurance, AEON Credit, FKR Tyres and so forth.
As per the norm, the event was launched by the Minister of Transportation, YB Dato’ Seri Liow Tiong Lai. Bentong was the chosen location as it’s the Minister’s constituency.
Hundreds of Bentong’s populace had turned up on their motorcycles by as early as 9 am.
HLYM had set up a booth and tents to carry out 15-point safety checks for the motorcycles. The owners are advised on items and points that needed attention, repair or replacement.
Besides, HLYM’s booth, the first 500 attendees had the opportunity to replace their old helmets with new ones for free, courtesy of KHI Helmets. They are also presented with a fluorescent yellow riding jacket.
Present at the event were Dato’ Jim Khor, the Chief Executive Officer of HLYM and Mr. Wee Hong, President of MMSDA, also.
In his speech, YB Dato’ Sri Liow commended HLYM’s commitment to road safety outreach and having organised the program for 19 straight years.
But YB also iterated some dire statistics: Of the 7,125 deaths resulting from traffic accidents in 2016, 62.7% were among motorcyclists. Since this year’s theme is “Alah Bisa, Tegal Biasa,” it centres on the habit of Malaysian motorcyclists beating the stop light. The Transportation Ministry is aware that such crass action contributes to many accidents. As such, YB has called upon the Road Transport Department to include these two offences into the demerit system, together with infringements such as driving while intoxicated.
YB Dato’ Sri and other dignitaries officially launched the campaign after his speech. They were then briefed on the types of checks carried out by HLYM. YB Dato Sri then presented helmets and the safety jackets to selected participants on stage.
HLYM’s Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign will also be carried out in two other locations before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. HLYM will visit the LDP’s Petaling Jaya Lay-by area on the 21st and Dewan MPS in Seremban on the 22nd.