YONG PENG: A total of 30,000 youths participating in the MyLesen B2 programme are expected to obtain their motorcycle licences by next month, says Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
He said some participants have already received their licences, while the rest are expected to obtain them by July.
"This year, the Transport Ministry has allocated RM10.5mil for 30,000 youths to obtain their licences under the programme, and we aim for all of them to complete the process by July.
"Meanwhile, the MyLesen B2 Sekolah (MyB2S) programme, which focuses on secondary school students, is expected to help more than 60,000 participants obtain their licences by September," he said.
He said this during a press conference held in conjunction with the Empowerment of the MyLesen B2 and MyB2S Initiatives programme at SJKC Yong Peng here on Tuesday (June 16).
The event was officiated by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Asked whether the programme would be expanded to include more participants this year, Aedy said it would depend on the government's allocation.
"It will depend on whether the government allocates additional funding for the programme.
"We will assess the situation after the initiative has been completed. For now, this is our target," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Loke said statistics showed that more than 6,000 fatal road accidents are recorded annually, with 65% involving motorcyclists and pillion riders.
He said most of these fatal accidents involved individuals below the age of 30, including school students.
"The government recognises that the cost of obtaining a driving licence today is a significant burden for some families.
"Therefore, through the MyLesen B2 and MyB2S programmes, the government has allocated funding to cover the cost of obtaining these licences," he said.
He said that last year, a total of 25,000 participants nationwide benefited from the MyLesen B2 programme, with an allocation of RM8mil.
