Top 5 at 5: Framework To Prevent Heavy Vehicle Accidents

Transport expert and founder of MY Mobility Vision, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan has suggested that we adopt Australia's Chain of Responsibility legal framework, in light of recent fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles. Essentially, this framework would make parties other than drivers responsible for the safety of heavy vehicles on the road, such as the business that employs a driver or owns the vehicle. We speak to Wan Agyl himself on why he is pushing for this model and what it would look like for Malaysia to emulate it.

· Selangor's first national geopark: The Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark, spanning 113,000 hectares across two districts, was officially declared by the Sultan of Selangor. Featuring 31 geosites, including Batu Caves and Gombak Quartz Ridge, it aims to boost ecotourism and secure UNESCO Global Geopark status. We reached out to Salina Hussein and Navin Binwani, coordinators of AJ Rimba Collective, who spoke about the significance of the geopark and the collective's efforts to get it recognised have been.

· Sri Lanka's new Marxist government: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Marxist-leaning NPP coalition has won a landslide victory in Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections, securing 159 of 225 seats amid severe economic distress and political turbulence. Following mass protests in 2022, Dissanayake’s campaign focused on economic sovereignty, agrarian reform, and wealth redistribution, giving him a strong mandate for change. We hear from Janaka Biyanwila, Sri Lankan Correspondent for the Green Left magazine for his thoughts on the results and the challenges that lie ahead for this government.

· Calls for a 13th month salary pay: Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin recently proposed introducing a 13th-month pay system in Malaysia, where employees would receive an extra two-month salary in December to boost capital and encourage investment. Common in countries like the Philippines and Latin America, this system is seen as an economic stimulus and a means to enhance financial stability and worker morale. Economist Geoffrey Williams weighs in on why a 13th-month pay may be difficult to implement.

· Popek Popek Parlimen: The Religious Affairs Minister shared plans for rehabilitating GISBH-linked child victims, focusing on faith, counseling, and education to minimize trauma. Meanwhile, the Women and Community Development Ministry reported 33 autism centres serving 65,000 children, with community centres filling gaps via RM137 million in funds. Lastly, the Trade Ministry is investigating anti-dumping violations on Chinese imports to protect Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.

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