KUCHING: The government’s initiative to release road accident death statistics in real-time on a daily basis will enhance awareness and vigilance among road users and the general public.
Highlighting the gravity of road safety issues, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi referenced data from the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), presented by deputy director Datuk Mohd Nasri Omar, which showed that Malaysia experienced a staggering 598,635 road accidents in 2023, leading to 5,984 fatal accidents and 6,433 deaths.
Acknowledging the link between road accidents and the state of road infrastructure, Nanta committed to proactively improve road quality.
However, he stressed the challenge of insufficient funds, noting that despite needing nearly RM4 billion annually for road maintenance and upgrades, the Ministry typically receives only a quarter of this amount due to federal budget constraints.
To mitigate these challenges, Nanta announced the launch of the MYJalan programme, aimed at enhancing the accountability of all stakeholders in maintaining road infrastructure.
The programme includes a one-stop centre and app for reporting road damage, which will help identify critical financial needs for road repairs across the nation.
“We are capable of implementing these improvements; we just need to align our priorities,” he added.
