Fit to ride:: Some of the licence recipients posing for a photo during the handing-over ceremony in Balik Pulau. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
BALIK PULAU: With the Federal Government funding motorcycle licences for the B40 community, more teenagers will now hold proper licences before taking to the roads.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the MyLesen B2 initiative was mainly for youths who ride motorcycles without a licence.
“Sometimes due to monetary issues, they are not able to get a licence.
“When these teenagers ride a motorcycle without a licence, it means they are not competent as they don’t have proper training.
“This can lead to accidents, especially involving teenagers,” he said.
Loke noted that the increasing trend of motorcycle accidents involving teenagers was a cause for concern.
“Then, there are the illegal racing activities which are constantly going on, including in Penang.
“We hope that through this programme, we can give the youngsters professional training to make sure they become competent riders.
“This is our way of helping to reduce accidents and helping the socio-economy of our people,” he said at the ceremony to give out licences under the MyLesen B2 national programme for motorcyclists at a driving school here yesterday.
The MyLesen B2 programme was launched to help the B40 group obtain a Class B2 licence and is one of the initiatives under Budget 2023 implemented by the Transport Ministry through the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Loke said a total of RM2.7mil was allocated for the MyLesen B2 programme and a total of 9,000 candidates from the B40 group nationwide were expected to benefit from the initiative.
In Penang, 293 teens obtained their motorcycle riding licences under the programme.
Loke said he hoped the number of recipients would increase next year.
“We hope for more funding next year and are targeting double the amount of recipients.
“If we can get an allocation of RM10mil, then we will be able to cater to 30,000 people under the programme.
“We give them RM300 which goes towards the course.
“They just need to take part in the course,” he added.
On a related note, Loke cautioned motorists not to participate in illegal racing activities.
He urged motorists to take it as a warning from the ministry as the illegal activities would not only harm the individuals but also their families and other road users if anything untoward were to occur.
“There have been incidents of illegal racing in Penang in the past few months.
“It needs to be looked into as one must realise it does not just affect you but poses danger to other road users and will cause them harm,” he said.
