SIBU: Plans are underway to build more traffic gardens in Sarawak under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
"The ministry plans to increase the number of traffic gardens throughout Sarawak under the 13MP so that every part of Sarawak has at least one," revealed Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin on Sunday (Aug 3).
Speaking at the Sarawak Traffic Games Sibu 2025, the Transport Minister said this aligns with the ministry's commitment to expanding road safety education to more students and rural communities, ensuring no one is left behind in shaping prudent road users.
"We are committed to reducing the number of road accidents in Sarawak. We want every road user to go to work and return safely. We want every student to go to school and return safely. We want all users to use the road safely. That is very important," said Lee, who is also the Sarawak Road Safety Council chairman.
Lee said traffic games have had a positive impact, turning children into road safety ambassadors.
"There are parents who told me that after their children participated in the traffic competition, they remind them to put on seat belts before driving and to stop at red lights," he added.
The Shell Traffic Games were introduced in the state in 1963, discontinued in 2015, but rebranded and revived in 2024 as the Sarawak Traffic Games under the ministry's full implementation.
It officially kicked off in November 2024 in Miri and continued in all six existing locations, including Sarikei in April, Kuching in June, and on Sunday in Sibu, with future editions set for Sri Aman and Bintulu this year.
"We believe road safety awareness must be instilled from a young age. Children are not only future drivers but also today's road users—as cyclists, pedestrians, and passengers. Through a fun and meaningful approach, we can instill responsibility, discipline, and civic responsibility from an early age," he said.
