Top 5 at 5: Budget Focus on Public Transportation
Datuk Professor Ahmad Farhan Sadullah, Vice Chancellor and Professor of Transport, Universiti Putra Malaysia
05-Nov-24 17:00
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The budget’s focus on electric buses and dedicated bus lanes highlights a commitment to green transport, though concerns remain about road expansion worsening congestion. Growing My50 pass sign-ups indicate rising public transit interest, with calls for further road safety innovations to protect motorcyclists. Datuk Professor Ahmad Farhan Sadullah, Vice Chancellor and Professor of Transport, Universiti Putra Malaysia weighs in on the conversation.
Other stories we covered today:
· Deaf e-hailing driver's assailant pleads guilty: Police officer Muhammad Taufik Ismail, who was behind the viral assault against deaf e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong, has pled guilty to the charge against him, receiving a RM1,000 fine. We reached out to Dr Anthony Chong from the Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN) on the deaf's community's dissatisfaction. We also spoke to Yu Ying Ying, Campaign Coordinator for Lawyers for Liberty, on how we can improve access to justice for disabled people.
· Southeast Asia’s first guide to combat greenwashing: The Zero Greenwashing Alliance has launched the region's first “Green Claims Guidance” to curb misleading eco-friendly claims by companies. The guide, led by NGO RimbaWatch, outlines standards for environmental claims and includes a public database and interactive map to track cases of greenwashing. We hear from Adam Farhan, co-founder and director of RimbaWatch, on what led to the development of this guide, and examples of greenwashing claims they’ve found in the past, as well as his hopes for the guide.
· GLCs lose millions after sale of Fashion Valet: Khazanah Nasional and PNB lost RM43.9 million after selling their RM47 million stake in Fashion Valet for just RM3.1 million, prompting an MACC investigation. Fashion Valet’s founders resigned to take responsibility, and authorities have confiscated related documents. The case has sparked debate over investment criteria and potential impacts on Malaysia’s venture capital climate.
· Popek Popek Parlimen: In the Dewan Rakyat, discussions included plans to expand Bukit Jalil National Stadium as a multi-purpose venue, with concerts bringing in RM8.5 million—four times more revenue than sports events. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh noted high demand from concert operators but limited venue availability. Other updates included a slight drop in student vaping and smoking rates, and Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s openness to resume the MH370 search if credible evidence emerges, with a "no find, no fee" proposal from Ocean Infinity.
Image Credit: GingChen, Shutterstock
Produced by: Alia Zefri, Lim Sue Ann, Sudais Ferhard, Alena Nadia
Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan
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Categories: politics, government, international, Law/Activism, environment, controversies, education
Tags: road expansion, My50 pass, motorcycle safety, Datuk Professor Ahmad Farhan Sadullah, deaf e-hailing driver assault, police officer assault, Ong Ing Keong, justice for disabled, Zero Greenwashing Alliance, youth smoking rates, vaping rates, MH370 search, electric buses, green transport, Kuala Lumpur bus lanes, public transit, dawn, lawyers for liberty, greenwashing, RimbaWatch, khazanah nasional, pnb, fashion valet, macc, venture capital, ocean infinity, popek popek parlimen, dewan rakyat,