6.7 mn in Malaysia without valid driving licence

Some 6.7 million drivers and motorcyclists in Malaysia are on the road without valid driving licences, a media report said on Tuesday.

To address this, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has initiated the myLESEN programme to ensure that some 300,000 motorcyclists nationwide obtain their licence within a month, The Malaysian Star reported.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the one-month programme starting from Tuesday would target those aged 16 and above.

"We appeal to them to get their licence as soon as possible as 32 percent of motorcyclists in the country are without one," the minister said.

"We cannot allow this to continue."

Besides giving them a chance to get their licence, he said the motorcyclists would also undergo road safety training.

As an incentive, Liow said the programme would train and test motorcyclists for 299 ringgit ($69) instead of the minimum 350 ringgit fee set by driving schools.

"Depending on the response, we may consider holding similar programmes in the future to get more unlicensed motorcyclists to get their licence," he added.

The programme, he said, was crucial as the ministry aimed to reduce road accidents by 50 percent by 2020.

A total of 190 driving institutes nationwide are taking part in the programme.