Recent tragedies in Malaysia—particularly the tragic deaths of 15 students in a bus crash in Gerik, Perak, and nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel in a separate incident—have again brought to light the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of road safety measures.

The continued use of outdated infrastructure and road furniture represents a critical aspect of this predicament.

Then, there is the more pressing issue of whether our leaders have the political will necessary to implement transformative changes.

On top of that, there is also the need for Malaysians to think and live more safely, for example by the simple act of buckling up, including when travelling long-distance on a bus equipped with seat belts.

One matter of concern is the continued use by the public works department (JKR) of outdated infrastructure, such as the Armco barriers that line many of our roads and highways.

Why do our JKR engineers not promote the use of more modern technology such as the cable restraint systems developed to “trap” fighter jets landing on aircraft carriers?

Instead, the Type 2 guardrail end, known as the “Breakaway Terminal” and commonly seen in Malaysia, is still listed as accepted road furniture in JKR’s ATJ 1/2020 (Guidelines in Design & Selection of Traffic Restraint Systems), according to an industry supplier who asked not to be identified.

“The terminal is no longer in use in the US as it is not certified to current standards,” he said, citing a 2015 memorandum from the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

A decade on and Malaysia is clinging on to old systems. So, why are our JKR engineers unwilling to push for improvement to the road furniture? Are there relationships that they are keen to protect?

The image of the Armco barrier piercing through the bus and into some of its passengers starkly illustrates how outdated road safety infrastructure can dramatically worsen the consequences of a crash.

The design and condition of these safety features have not evolved in tandem with modern road safety technology, such as cable fences, leading to devastating consequences for road users.

Political will

The government must prioritise the modernisation of road furniture to align with international safety standards, thus ensuring better protection for passengers and drivers alike.

For that, there must be strong commitment from the political leadership.

Road safety initiatives in Malaysia have long been hindered by bureaucratic inertia and corruption, with enforcement appearing to be selective.

One could argue that the two high profile multi-death traffic crashes which occurred within a space of two weeks was simply bad luck for transport minister Loke Siew Fook.

Loke has the Cabinet’s full support and is pushing to implement the changes. This is the first positive indication that there is a political will to improve road and traffic safety to reflect a modern nation.

The implementation of a speed limiter system for all heavy commercial vehicles including buses, advocated by the Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association almost 20 years ago, is a necessary first step.

This system could dramatically reduce instances of speeding, a leading factor in many road crashes. The law must also lay down strict penalties for tampering with speed limiters.

Moreover, the manner in which vehicle operating permits (VOPs) are issued also calls for systemic change. Currently, the practice of renting VOPs often favours those with political connections, leaving genuine operators who lack such connections at a disadvantage.

This rental system not only undermines fair competition but also hampers the ability of legitimate operators to invest in their businesses.

Without security of ownership, these operators cannot sufficiently invest in human capital, such as driver training, or hardware—including modern vehicles equipped with better safety features.

The shift to a system that prioritises merit and establishes a transparent and fair permit allocation process is essential. By enabling operators to invest in better vehicles and training, the government can ensure that safety standards improve across the board.

Public awareness and education campaigns must also be intensified to complement these structural changes. Society must embrace a culture of safety that encompasses, not just compliance with traffic laws, but respect for road use as a shared responsibility.

On a micro level, this means the police themselves must use their safety belts as a model of safety awareness. Likewise, as in the UK, it should be illegal for ambulance drivers to blare their sirens to jump a red light when not rushing to a hospital or to the scene of a medical emergency.

We should also look to Australia, which has just announced a comprehensive revision of its driving laws. Drivers can be fined for merely touching their smartphones in a stationary car, while those who are caught speeding risk a jail term.

Ultimately, the path to enhanced road traffic safety in Malaysia does not rest solely on technological advancements or infrastructural updates.

It fundamentally requires decisive political will to systemically enforce existing and new laws.

Addressing the outdated elements of road safety, implementing necessary reforms like speed limiters, and the equitable distribution of VOPs demands bold leadership.

Loke and several of his Cabinet colleagues have a pivotal opportunity to not only address the failures of the past but also set the stage for safer travel on Malaysian roads.

The government should use the recent tragedies as the catalyst for meaningful change in road safety that prioritises the lives of all Malaysians.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.