The Star's assistant editor earns JPJ recognition for providing road safety feedback

SHAH ALAM: Meng Yew Choong (pic), an assistant editor with The Star, has been presented a certificate of appreciation for providing regular feedback on road safety to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Meng, 46, said he has been sending reports to the JPJ whenever he saw vehicles endangering other motorists, such as cars with non-functioning brake lights or lorries with leaking contents.

"The majority of the motorists in Malaysia just complain about other road users but do not do anything.

"I report to the JPJ if I see anything that might put other motorists at risk whenever I am on the road," he said after receiving his certificate from director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad during a ceremony held in conjunction with the state-level JPJ Day celebration at UiTM Shah Alam here Saturday.

Meng, from Petaling Jaya, said that he has been sending reports to the JPJ for the past five years, all to make the roads safe to travel on.

"Sometimes it can be troublesome to remember the registration plates of other vehicles while driving, but I will make an effort to remember and jot it down when I'm idle.

"If I am riding a motorcycle and my wife is with me, I will get her help," he said, adding that his wife used to think his efforts were futile and occasionally and grumbled about it.

"However, I think this certificate may change her mind now," quipped Meng.

To report, Meng added that one needs to provide information such as the registration plate, the type of vehicle, the location, time and offence including the complainant's name.

"People should not report to or email the JPJ without providing basic details. One has to be prepared to testify if the need arises," he added.

Another recipient, Ong Nguan Ching, received a similar certificate of appreciation.

During the ceremony, TV3 chief executive officer Ahmad Izham Omar was also presented with a special RTD director's award for his contribution in educating the public about road safety in its shows, travelogues and public service announcements.

Earlier, Ismail said that the department was set to start its Cadet JPJ co-curricular activity at schools next year, with collaboration from the Education Ministry.

"We have introduced the Cadet JPJ pilot programme to 17 schools this year as a trial with a total of 600 members.

"We hope to introduce this programme to as many schools as possible next year in order to teach the younger generation about road safety from young," he said, adding that the programme curricular focused on road safety, volunteerism, spirit of togetherness and patriotism.