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By ALISSYA ZUNIZAM

THE government plans to broaden its Safe School Zone programme nationwide as part of wider efforts to improve road safety for children, with Transport Minister Anthony Loke calling for greater support from state governments, local authorities and the private sector.

Speaking at the Road Safety Council of Malaysia (MKJR) annual meeting on June 15, Loke said the pilot programme is currently being implemented at 14 schools across the country and will be extended to more schools this year.

He said the initiative was introduced to address ongoing safety concerns around schools particularly those located along busy federal and state roads where students face increased risks during drop-off and pick-up periods.

“This is an important initiative to ensure a safe environment for children because road safety around schools remains a matter of public concern. 

“Accidents continue to occur in school areas, particularly in front of schools,” he said.

The programme involves redesigning road environments around schools through measures such as speed humps, improved pedestrian facilities and other traffic-calming infrastructure aimed at reducing vehicle speeds. 

A speed limit of 30kph has also been introduced within designated school zones.

Loke said Malaysia has more than 10,000 schools, many of which are situated along heavily trafficked roads making targeted interventions necessary to improve safety for students and other road users.

One completed project at Vivekananda Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur now serves as a model for future Safe School Zones while pilot projects in the remaining states are expected to be completed within the next few months.

However, Loke said the cost of implementing a Safe School Zone ranges between RM200,000 and RM300,000 per school with the 14 pilot projects alone requiring between RM4 million and RM5 million in funding.

“As our allocation is limited, it is difficult to extend these facilities to a larger number of schools. 

“To expand the Safe School Zone programme, contributions will be needed from various parties including state governments, local authorities and most importantly, the private sector,” he said.

Loke suggested that corporate organisations and property developers adopt schools in their respective areas to help fund safety upgrades. 

He also urged Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBGs) to play a more active role in advocating for safer school environments as many road safety issues occur outside school compounds and cannot be addressed by schools alone.

Separately, Loke announced an allocation of RM30,000 to each state road safety council to strengthen operational activities and support the implementation of road safety programmes including localised interventions under the My Safe Road initiative aimed at addressing accident-prone locations nationwide.

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MUAR — Maintaining good relations with major world powers such as China and the United States has never weakened Malaysia’s position in upholding its national principles on international issues, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

He pointed out that Malaysia practises a policy of friendship with all countries while remaining firm in safeguarding national interests, including in matters relating to trade, investment and law enforcement.

“We are friends to all but we keep our principles. If they (Israel) do something wrong against Gaza, we will say it is wrong,” he said during a speech at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) public rally “Keadilan Untuk Bangsa Johor” here tonight.

Anwar said Malaysia’s close ties with China, for instance, have brought benefits in trade, investment and education, but the government would not compromise on any violation of the country’s laws.

“We have good relations with China because China has been good to us. We can trade, do business and send our children there to study. However, if there are parties who violate regulations and conduct business without permits, we will still take action. We are friends, but we will always protect national interests,” he said.

Anwar said the good ties Malaysia fostered with various countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, China and the United States allowed it to play a more effective role at the international level without sacrificing national interests.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia’s stand is widely respected at the international stage as the country has hosted many major world leaders recently, including United States President Donald Trump. 

Even though Malaysia was not a big country, world leaders such as China President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang chose to hold official visits here.

Anwar also rejected criticism over the friendly diplomatic approach he practised while receiving foreign leaders, stressing that good relations with world leaders was vital to strengthening cooperation and to create more opportunities for the country.

“My priority is to protect the interests of Malaysians and to ensure the country is respected globally,” he added. — BERNAMA

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MUAR — Ensuring the country’s energy supply remains a key government priority as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim begins his working visit to Russia tomorrow to hold an important meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Anwar said the visit, which will involve a meeting between ASEAN leaders and the Russian leadership, would be utilised to ensure the continuity and security of oil and diesel supplies to Malaysia.

“Among the matters I intend to emphasise when meeting Putin is to ensure that oil supplies can continue to be channelled to us. This is the benefit of maintaining good relations with others,” he said when speaking at a hi-tea event with the fishing community, farmers and local residents at Pantai Leka Food Court here today.

He said the proactive measure was important to ensure the country has long-term energy supply security, while also avoiding supply disruptions that have begun affecting several neighbouring countries in the ASEAN region.

He added that sound economic management and strong international relations have enabled Malaysia to maintain one of the world’s lowest domestic retail fuel prices, particularly RON95, at RM1.99 per litre.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also voiced concern over geopolitical tensions in West Asia following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran that led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Anwar said any disruption along the strategic maritime route would have a direct ripple effect on the domestic economy through higher global oil prices.

However, he said he had received the latest information from the Pakistani Prime Minister indicating that the armed conflict could potentially be resolved in the near future.

“He said an agreement may be signed and the war could be resolved by Friday. We pray for that outcome because if not, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the impact will reach Malaysia and oil prices will rise. As of today, oil prices have already started to decline slightly,” he said. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the  understanding reached between the United States (US) and Iran toward ending hostilities and the announcement that a memorandum of understanding will be signed in the coming days.

In a Facebook post, Anwar also commended the mediation efforts that led to the development, particularly those undertaken by Pakistan.

He said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping must now be treated as a matter of the highest urgency, describing it as a critical artery for global energy security and international trade.

“Prolonged disruption would serve no one,” he said.

Anwar urged all parties to act in good faith, proceed without delay and translate the understanding into a durable peace settlement.

“At this delicate moment, all parties and external actors must refrain from any action that could derail diplomacy and renew hostilities,” he said.

The Prime Minister also called on the international community to sustain the momentum towards peace, stressing that Malaysia stands ready to support efforts towards a just and lasting settlement.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that an agreement with Iran had been finalised and said he was authorising the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of a US naval blockade. — BERNAMA

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