December 7, 2025
World
World
LOS ANGELES, Dec 7 — Spectacular lava fountains burst from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Saturday, US volcanologists said, nearly a year after one of the world’s most active volcanoes began its latest eruptive phase.
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 11 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will soon make it compulsory for all drivers and passengers in private vehicles nationwide to wear seatbelts, said its director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
He explained that while no enforcement date has been set, JPJ’s immediate focus is on awareness initiatives, including the newly launched “Klik Sebelum Gerak” campaign. The campaign aims to strengthen road safety culture and stress the importance of seatbelt use for every occupant in a vehicle.
“In line with this campaign, we will later announce the enforcement date for mandatory seatbelt use among private car passengers. For now, the focus is on advocacy through ‘Klik Sebelum Gerak’ before moving into full enforcement,” he told reporters today.
Under the Motor Vehicles (Seatbelt and Child Restraint System) Rules 1978 (Amendment 2019), those who fail to buckle up may face fines of up to RM300.
Aedy Fadly said the campaign reflects JPJ’s commitment to ensuring the simplest but most critical safety step — fastening a seatbelt — becomes second nature to all road users.
Citing a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), he noted that seatbelts can cut the risk of passenger fatalities in accidents by up to 50 per cent. “Wearing a seatbelt helps keep drivers and passengers securely in place during a collision, significantly lowering the chances of serious injury,” he said.
He added that JPJ will continue rolling out advocacy efforts, sharing safety information through various platforms, and carrying out regular checks to ensure compliance. “Our goal is to make seatbelt use a nationwide safety culture to protect lives,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said seatbelt enforcement for express and tour bus drivers and passengers has already been in effect since July 1, 2025. Summonses are being issued to passengers who fail to comply.
The ruling currently applies to buses manufactured after January 2020, while older buses are being given time to retrofit seatbelts. — Bernama
