
Vehicle thefts, traffic accidents declined by over 10% in 2024, says stakeholder group
VTAREC chairman Datuk Lokman Jamaan said the number of road accidents, based on insurance industry statistics, declined to 266,716 cases in 2024 from 299,657 cases in 2023, a decrease of just under 11%.
He noted that the 266,716 cases in 2024 involved 229,739 private motorcars, 15,149 motorcycles, and 21,828 commercial vehicles
However, he did note that the figures from the insurance industry were slightly less compared to statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in both years.
'This is because insurance industry statistics reflect claims made by vehicle owners whose vehicles are insured.
'Meanwhile, police statistics cover all accident cases, including those without insurance coverage,' he said in his speech at VTAREC's nationwide public vehicle theft and road accident awareness campaign 2025 launch on Wednesday (May 28).
He attributed this positive news to more Malaysians becoming increasingly conscious of road safety and vehicle maintenance over the last year due to awareness efforts by VTAREC and the government as a whole.
He then called on all Malaysians to continue this positive trend going forward by abiding by the traffic laws, driving cautiously and alert as well as maintaining both their personal health and vehicle fitness.
'By working together at all levels of society, we can reduce road accident rates and consequently the likelihood of fatal accidents occurring," he added.
On a similarly positive note, Lokman also said that reported vehicle theft cases in 2024 had dropped to 3,925 compared to in 2023 which recorded 4,370 cases.
He said of the almost 4,000 vehicle theft cases in 2024, 1,771 involved private motorcar theft, 1,833 motorcycle theft, and 321 commercial vehicle theft cases.
Similarly, he said that the reduction in these cases was due to the cooperation and solid support of all parties, most importantly being the public's increased awareness on the importance of vehicle security.
'As the next step, VTAREC will also intensify collaboration with ministries, agencies, and other related stakeholders.
'This will include stepping up eradication efforts, preventive measures, and intervention steps against vehicle theft syndicates, cloned vehicle syndicates as well as syndicates involving the 'Rebirthing of Total Loss Vehicles', and 'cut cars'.
'This increased cooperation will ensure more effective interventions can be implemented on the vehicle-related ecosystem to ensure this issue is addressed holistically and collectively,' he said.
He added that VTAREC would also continue its awareness campaign efforts with the police and other non-governmental organisations due to its notable success over the last year.
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New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Desecration of Jalur Gemilang
To fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down is an insult to the dignity of our beloved nation, but a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, has done exactly that. And to do that just weeks before the country celebrates its National Day is like stabbing the very heart of the nation. Insult a man's dignity, he may forgive you. But insult the dignity of the nation, which the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of, he will neither forgive you nor forget the disrespectful act. So will not the nation. The proof of this is the numerous police reports lodged around the country by loyal Malaysians and statements issued by national leaders. Disturbed as he was, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang took to X, urging the police to take firm action against the offender, stressing the need for the action to serve as a lesson to all. Flying the flag correctly is every citizen's responsibility as a sign of respect and love for the country, Bernama quoted him as saying. He is right. To fly the Jalur Gemilang incorrectly is to seek to blemish the sovereignty, dignity and unity of the nation. Such an abhorrent act mustn't be tolerated. Strongly worded condemnation was also issued by Penang PKR Youth chief Muhammad Zakwan Mustafa Kamal in a statement on Saturday. He said the act of flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down was disrespectful, irresponsible, and an insult to the dignity of the nation. He said if the act was proven to be deliberate, no compromise should be shown. We say the same, too. Zakwan also called on the hardware store owner to issue a public apology to all Malaysians. As this Leader goes to press, no such apology has been issued. The police are saying that there is a case for prosecution. The hardware shop owner, who was detained on Sunday and released on police bail later, is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. If there is a case for prosecution, it is high time the authorities bring to bear the full brunt of the law on him to show how serious an insult to the dignity of the nation is. There have been far too many cases in the past, many of the culprits feigning ignorance. Utter incredulity must be the response. Even in the past, it wasn't the act of one who hadn't come of age. Or the act of one who suffered from some disease of the mind. Though the past acts showed clear disrespect for the dignity of the nation, we chose to adopt a softly, softly approach. The Kepala Batas incident proves to the authorities that such an approach was wrong. Nay it might have even encouraged it. If what the police investigation is saying is right, then the full brunt of the law must be brought to bear on him. Even ordinary crime demands punishment. Insulting the symbol of the dignity of a nation is no ordinary crime. As severe as it is, so must the punishment be.


The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
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Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
4 Malaysians among 79 arrested in nation-wide drug bust in Singapore
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