Former prime minister Najib Razak said: Facilitating the use of micro-mobility vehilces instead of banning them

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took to Facebook to call on the government to facilitate the use of micro-vehicles instead of ban them.

In April, the government announced that some micro-mobility vehicles would be banned from the roads. The ban relates to motorcycles, personal mobility aids (i.e. motorized wheelchairs, mobility scooters) and personal mobility devices (i.e. electric scooters, skateboards, boards) slide, scooter). Bicycles and e-bikes are exempt from the ruling, although users will still need to comply with existing rules under the Road Traffic Act and the Road Traffic Rules.

In his social media post, Najib said that an optimal and efficient relationship between first and last mile connections is vital to the success of public transport systems such as buses. and rail transport (LRT, KTM Komuter, Monorail, MRT).

“The use of micromobility can play an important role in the success of the first and last mile connectivity,” he said. To facilitate micro-vehicles, Najib suggested that the government place a condition on those vehicles to meet the necessary safety approvals before being sold here.

Micro-vehicle means a vehicle powered by electricity, internal combustion engine or human or human power combined with any of the two previously mentioned vehicles, with a maximum speed of 50 km / H.

Mr. Najib said that these vehicles should be classified according to 5 modes of transportation in the city, which are walking, cycling, motorbike, car and bus. In the case of smaller micro-vehicles that can run at no greater than walking speed, he said they should be allowed on pedestrian walkways. Meanwhile, vehicles closer to the bike will be allowed on existing bike paths and beyond.

According to a report by SunThe Ministry of Transport (MoT) is working closely with the Ministry of Housing and local government (KPKT) to draft guidelines for using micro-vehicle vehicles.

“Micro-controlled vehicles are under the MoT’s field of view, and so we have control (over the use of vehicles) on the roads. For areas other than roads, the EZ must establish guidelines in deciding where those vehicles can be used,” said Mike Chong Yew Chuan, a special official with the Minister of Transport. .

“The MoT has never implemented a complete ban on the use of such vehicles. Members of the public can still use thembut only in designated places for the KPKT and local authorities (PBT) to identify,” he added.

Mr. Najib also said in his post that micro-mobility users who act irresponsibly and disturb other road users or pedestrians will face heavy fines and penalties. . Mr. Najib concluded by saying that facilitating the use of micro-mobility is crucial to the success of public transport in which the government has invested heavily to reduce traffic congestion in the region. city.

The micro-vehicle problem surfaced last year when a video went viral on social media showing a man driving a tram on a busy public roadThe Department of Transport announced the current ban under the Road Traffic Rules (Prohibition of the use of some micro-vehicles) 2021, effective December 17, 2021.

Singapore has followed a similar path much earlier, banning the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) from all sidewalks in November 2019 due to an increase in e-related injuries and deaths. -scooter. Even if PMDs are banned on footpaths, such devices can still be used on bike paths and the National Park Connectivity Network.

Do you agree with Najib’s statement? Should the government focus more on facilitating the use of micro-mobility rather than implementing a total ban? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.