PETALING JAYA: There should be no compromise on basic safety features in low cost cars, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) said.
Commenting on the availability of a “no-frills” entry level Perodua car targeted at low-income motorcycle riders, the former Transport Minister said the Perodua Axia E should not dispense away with features such as anti-lock braking (ABS) system and electronic stability control (ESC).
“I am really glad that large car makers are keeping their consumers’ pockets in mind with plenty of choices and specs.
”(However) RM22,000 cars should not be without minimum safety features like ABS and ESC,” said Dr Wee, who is also MCA president in a Facebook post yesterday.
“Let’s not compromise on safety and security of the driver and passenger. Certain specs like ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and ESC should not be left out just to bring the vehicle price down to ‘Rahmah’ (affordable) levels,” he added.
ABS prevents skidding from loss of steering and control as a result of “locked” wheels when braking hard, while EBD is an extension of the ABS that ensures that the right amount of braking force is applied to each wheel during braking
ESC helps prevent loss of control in curves and emergency steering manoeuvres by stabilising the car when it begins to veer off the intended path.
Dr Wee said while he understood that many lower income households are financially squeezed, the government must find more ways to help them.
However, he said that does not mean safety features must be removed to satisfy a price point.
“Studies have shown that requiring ESC and other anti-skid tech in cars can prevent about 40% of deaths and collisions from crashes due to loss of control.
“It is why the Transport Ministry (MOT) under Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai’s tenure made it mandatory for all new cars to have ESC starting from 1 June 2018,” he said, adding that ABS and ESC are decades-old technologies that have been proven to significantly reduce accidents.
“Costs to make these features have also reduced significantly.”
He reminded that unsafe cars are not only a danger to the drivers but to other road users too.
“I hope the maker of the Axia E manual, which many have started calling as the ‘kosong spec’ car, will rethink the latest model that comes without ABS, EBD, and ESC as in the previous Axia E. Even central locking is missing.
“I’m made to understand that the Axia E’s spec is based on approvals given under NCAP in 2014.
“But the times have moved on, and we have better knowledge and expertise in this field,” he added.
Dr Wee said the lack of basic safety features in this car could set a worrying precedent for future ultra low cost vehicles.
“Manufacturers could use this as an excuse later on to exclude even the most basic of safety features. During my time as Transport Minister, we mandated ABS in motorcycles above 150cc.
“Will manufacturers find a way to even further reduce the cost of new motorcycles and do away with ABS, for instance?” he said, adding that he raised this concern in hopes that the government will not regress when it comes to mandating safety features in new passenger vehicles.
