SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) traffic wardens are currently under training and waiting for their equipment to arrive.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee said the duties of traffic wardens is expected to start this year.
However, Tiang said the council is still awaiting the equipment and the ministry’s approval.
“SMC has already started with the traffic wardens. It is just that we are waiting for vehicles, scooters, among others. As far as I know, South Kuching City Council (MBKS) has 22 traffic wardens but only six scooter units. We call it patrolling scooters.
“For SMC, they are still in the stage of training them (traffic wardens) and waiting for the equipment to arrive. As mentioned by Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, these appointed traffic wardens may even have body cameras,” Tiang added.
He said this when met by reporters during the launching ceremony of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu branch Annual Flag Sales here yesterday at Taman Selera Muhibbah.
Asked about the traffic wardens’ job scope, Tiang who is the Pelawan assemblyman, said the main purpose of the traffic warden is to maintain traffic flow, especially in front of schools.
“These traffic wardens were trained by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). As for the number of scooters, if we have 20 traffic wardens does not mean that we need 20 scooters, because we have shift duties,” he said.