The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj, has said the government needs to seriously address road accidents, especially those involving heavy vehicles.
In a statement posted by the Selangor Royal Office, the Sultan and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, expressed their condolences to the families of the nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who were killed in a tragic accident in Perak on Tuesday (May 13).
His Royal Highness said he was disappointed as he had repeatedly expressed concerns over the issue, particularly regarding the punishment of drivers or companies that were found to be negligent and failed to meet necessary safety standards.
“Looking at the rising number of such cases and tragedies as well as increasing frequency of road accidents, His Royal Highness wants the authorities to take firmer and more immediate action,” read the statement.
“If found guilty and responsible for fatal accidents or causing serious injuries, the drivers and the companies involved should not only be fined or jailed, but also have their driving licences revoked. This would serve as a lesson to other drivers, so they remain vigilant and give their full attention when driving,” it continued.
His Royal Highness also urged companies operating lorries, buses and other heavy vehicles to be stricter when assessing potential drivers and assistants, ensuring they have clean record and do not pose any risk.
“All parties should not turn a blind eye to or take lightly matters that could lead to negligence, such as vehicle conditions and driver qualifications. His Royal Highness hopes and prays that such tragic accidents will not happen again, especially those that claim the lives of innocent people, particularly those serving the country,” the statement added.
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