‘Let us have access to e-vetting system'
Sharing his views: Wong speaking during the seminar in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: With accidents involving trucks continuing to make headlines in recent weeks, a logistics industry leader is urging the government to expand access to an e-vetting system that will allow employers to screen potential lorry drivers for criminal or drug-related offences.
Malaysia Trucking Federation (MTF) president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said that currently, only lorry drivers operating at ports are subject to e-vetting, leaving other sectors, such as companies transporting sand or stone, unable to properly vet their drivers before hiring them.
'They should consider expanding e-vetting for all lorry services and provide us access to the system so we can better screen for possible bad apples before hiring,' he said before an MTF seminar on current logistics industry challenges yesterday.
He encouraged all MTF members and other industry players to consider conducting regular drug and urine tests on their drivers as a preventive measure.
Meanwhile, Association of Logistics Entrepreneurs Malaysia president Puvaneaish Subramaniam highlighted the issue of substandard lorry spare parts in the market.
She said the widespread availability of cheap, low-quality parts is compromising road safety, especially among smaller operators struggling to survive in a highly competitive, low-margin industry.
'These parts should not even be allowed into the country in the first place, which is why the government needs to crack down and regulate the market to protect competitiveness and overall road safety,' she said.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said industry players need to integrate road safety into their occupational health and safety business management systems.
'Adopting long-trusted safety management systems such as ISO 39001 or ISO 45001 would help embed road safety responsibility across their entire value chain.
'This would not only increase road transport safety awareness among the implementing company and its stakeholders but also allow for consistent measurement of the company's road safety performance,' Wong said in his speech at the seminar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
RM100 mln for air charters? Dapsy S'wak calls for transparency from state govt
Wong says the state administration must justify how such a substantial expenditure serves the public interest. KUCHING (May 30): The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak has called on the state government to provide a detailed breakdown of the RM100 million allocated for air charter services under the Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill. Dapsy Sarawak treasurer Wong King Yii said the state administration must justify how such a substantial expenditure serves the public interest. 'The Sarawak government must also commit to transparency and public accountability in all supplementary spending,' he said in a statement. Wong described the RM100 million allocation as 'troubling,' citing both the sheer amount involved and the reality that many of Sarawak's basic infrastructure needs remain unaddressed. He pointed out that rural communities continue to suffer from poor road conditions, unreliable utilities, and limited access to public services, while local councils struggle to maintain facilities or respond to long-standing complaints. 'And yet, RM100 million is suddenly available — for air charters?' Wong added that Sarawakians deserve to know what kind of 'increased activities' warrant such a large budget and who stands to benefit from it. He insisted that this is not about political posturing but fairness and responsible spending. 'The government cannot, on one hand, claim poverty when maintaining roads or supporting rural communities, and on the other hand approve high-cost, vague allocations without proper explanation,' he said. Wong emphasised that Sarawakians are not demanding luxuries but expect basic necessities like functioning roads, clean water, and reliable public services. Until those fundamental needs are addressed, he said, every sen spent elsewhere must be thoroughly scrutinised and publicly explained. 'We do not oppose the Sarawak government's efforts to bring in foreign investments and promote economic development, but the premise must be that all allocations are transparent and ensure every sen of public money is spent where it is truly needed – not on high-cost expenditures lacking clear explanations,' he added.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Bank Negara: Malaysia's headline inflation unchanged at 1.4% in April
Shoppers buying vegetables at a wet market in the Klang Valley. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's headline inflation remained unchanged at 1.4 per cent in April 2025, while core inflation edged up to two per cent from 1.9 per cent in March 2025, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). In its Monthly Highlights for April 2025, the central bank said the rise in core inflation was driven by price increases in core components, including mobile communication services, jewellery and watches, as well as air passenger transport. "These were partially offset by lower inflation for non-core items such as fuels and lubricants, as well as fresh vegetables, amid an easing cost environment,' it said. BNM also reported that gross exports grew by 16.4 per cent from 6.8 per cent last month, mainly due to the continued strong expansion of electrical and electronics (E&E) exports, supported by a rebound in non-E&E and commodities exports. "Malaysia imports expanded by 20 per cent (March 2025: -2.9 per cent), amid a sharp growth of capital imports. However, intensified trade tensions are expected to weigh on exports and increase downside risks. "This will be partly cushioned by sustained global demand for E&E and Malaysia's integral role in the global supply chain,' said BNM. The central bank noted that credit to the private non-financial sector grew by 5.5 per cent (March 2025: 5.5 per cent), supported by steady growth in outstanding loans (5.5 per cent; March 2025: 5.6 per cent) and higher growth in outstanding corporate bonds (5.5 per cent; March 2025: 5.3 per cent). "Growth in business loans moderated slightly to 4.6 per cent (March 2025: 4.8 per cent), reflecting slower loan growth, particularly in the services sector. "Notwithstanding, demand for business financing remained forthcoming across both small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-SMEs. Household loan growth remained steady at six per cent with continued growth across most loan purposes,' it noted. BNM highlighted that the global financial conditions became more volatile following tariffs announcement by the United States (US) administration. "Global investor sentiment also turned cautious amid rising concerns over a more subdued US economy and its negative spillovers to the global economy. Amid these developments, the ringgit appreciated by 2.7 per cent against the US dollar. "The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI rose by 1.8 per cent (regional average: 1.1 per cent), while the yield on 10-year Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) declined by 11.0 basis points (regional average: -14.7 bps), in line with movements of global bond yields. "This trend was largely driven by net foreign inflows into the bond market, amid heightened global risk aversion,' it noted. Additionally, it said the banking system continued to show healthy liquidity buffers, with an aggregate liquidity coverage ratio of 155.8 per cent (March 2025 to 151.6 per cent). "The aggregate loan-to-fund ratio decreased slightly to 83.3 per cent (March 2025: 83.8 per cent) as the increase in total funds outpaced loan growth,' said BNM. Malaysia's gross and net impaired loans ratios remained stable at 1.4 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. "The loan loss coverage ratio (including regulatory reserves) remained prudent at 131.0 per cent of gross impaired loans, compared to 131.3 per cent in the previous month,' it added. - Bernama
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
AVIS Singapore Leads Car Rental Industry with ISO 45001 Certification
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 May 2025 - AVIS Singapore is the only car rental company in the country to have achieved ISO 45001 certification in December 2024, an international standard equivalent to Singapore's bizSAFE Star, demonstrating its commitment to the highest levels of occupational health and safety. Path to ISO 45001 Certification The attainment of ISO 45,001 reflects AVIS Singapore's dedication to robust health, safety, and operational standards, aligning with its 'Driven by Better' brand promise. This certification was enabled by implementing structured internal safety systems for proactive risk management across vehicle handling, premises, and customer interactions, ensuring a comprehensive approach to safety. A key enabler was a leadership-driven culture prioritising the safety, well-being, and accountability of all stakeholders. This was actively supported by systematic employee engagement through regular training and feedback mechanisms. Furthermore, comprehensive adherence to local regulatory requirements and globally recognised best practices in occupational health and safety management was ensured through a strategic partnership with certified consultants. Commitment to Quality and Environmental Responsibility Building on its priority of safety, AVIS Singapore also adheres to recognised standards in other key areas. Holding ISO 9,001 for Quality Management and ISO 14,001 for Environmental Management, the company affirms its focus on providing reliable car rentals with a continuous emphasis on service quality, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for its employees, and proactively working to minimise its carbon footprint. In line with its environmental responsibility, AVIS Singapore is actively integrating vehicles with enhanced fuel efficiency into its fleet. This includes an increasing adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), a focus aimed at offering customers renting cars in Singapore sustainable mobility solutions with reduced emissions and improved fuel economy. Upholding Service Excellence AVIS Singapore's ISO 45,001, ISO 9,001, and ISO 14,001 certifications assure customers of high standards across all services. Whether you require short-term car rental with well-maintained and reliable vehicles from a diverse fleet, car leasing with consistent quality for extended transportation needs across Singapore and into Malaysia, or chauffeur service ensuring secure and professional transport throughout the region, AVIS Singapore's commitment to safety, quality, and sustainability benefits every journey.
