KUCHING, April 12: Speedboat operators in Sibu received donated life jackets as part of a festive season safety campaign.
Two of the operators operate between Sibu and Daro while the other two operate between Sibu and Dalat.
According to a news report published by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Sarawak Transport (MOTS) Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin officiated at the life jacket presentation ceremony yesterday (April 11) at the Sibu Express Boat Passenger Terminal in Sibu.
Lee emphasised that putting on a life jacket when boarding a boat is the most crucial action for passengers.
“When using a speed boat, all passengers must wear a life jacket. This is a safety rule that must be followed for the safety of the passengers and the boat operator.
“One thing we always want to remind all boat operators is that they must pay close attention to passenger safety,” he said when interviewed.
During his visit, Lee was briefed on all of the projects that will be implemented in Sarawak’s central zone, which includes Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, and Kapit. He was also briefed on the management at the Sibu Sarawak Rivers Board.
Also present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, MOTS principal assistant secretary/division head (Land Transport and Logistics Division) Julin Alen, and other entourage members.
In a separate development, Lee conducted a working visit to the Rejang Park Traffic Garden in Sibu earlier.
During his official visit, he stated that MOTS and the Sarawak Road Safety Council (MKJR) intend to reintroduce traffic games as a means of educating students about road safety.
He explained that there are six traffic parks in Sarawak, which are located in Kuching, Sibu, Sri Aman, Bintulu, Sarikei, and Miri.
According to Lee, MOTS will study what improvements are necessary to the region’s existing traffic parks in order to keep up with modern traffic conditions or systems.
“We will also meet with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), traffic police, relevant agencies, the city council, municipal council, and the Public Works Department (JKR).
“This is necessary so that the traffic games this time follow the conditions and traffic system today.
“For example, in addition to other signals that need to be added, we need to use traffic signals where previously no traffic signals were used,” he told reporters after the visit.
In addition, Lee noted that the majority of respondents in a survey of community members, including parents and teachers, agreed that traffic games are an excellent educational tool for educating the next generation of road users.
He stated that previous traffic game participants provided very positive feedback, so the decision to revive the games was justified.
The Traffic Games, which began in Sarawak in 1963 as the Shell Traffic Game, is held annually in collaboration with various government agencies and is participated by primary and secondary schools. The Shell traffic competition and game was last held in 2015.
Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, stated that the Traffic Games are more of a form of education in which participants or school students who participate will have the experience of being on actual roads.
“My ministry has requested that all guardians of these traffic parks submit a budget, and we will consider how to implement it,” he explained. — DayakDaily
