DENGKIL, May 23 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will maximise the use of drones during Ops Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Ops HRAA), which will be carried out from May 24 to 31.

JPJ deputy director-general (Planning and Operations) Datuk Jazmanie Shafawi said that six drones would be deployed at hotspot areas to enhance the detection of various traffic offences.

“We will maximise the use of drones to detect offences such as overtaking on double lines and using emergency lanes on highways.

“Previously, (during Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri last March), drones were only used at certain times, but this time they will be used throughout Ops HRAA,” he told reporters after launching the operation here yesterday.

He said among the 288 identified accident hotspots were the stretches from Kuala Lipis to Gua Musang, Gua Musang to Kuala Krai, Gerik to Jeli, Hulu Terengganu to Kuala Terengganu, Segamat to Mersing, as well as the route from the Menora Tunnel to Sungai Perak.

Jazmanie said the use of drones was first introduced during the previous Hari Raya Aidilfitri operation, resulting in JPJ issuing 5,000 notices under Section 114 of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).

He further said that Ops HRAA was implemented through a comprehensive and strategic enforcement approach based on the Perception of Being Caught (POBC) concept, with increased deployment of enforcement officers at key locations, federal main routes, highways, public transport terminals, and 288 accident hotspots nationwide, under the slogan “Drive Carefully, Arrive Safely”.

“Throughout the operation, JPJ will focus on nine main offences identified as major contributors to road accidents,” he said.

Jazmanie said the offences were speeding; failure to comply with traffic signals; overtaking on double lines; misuse of emergency lanes; not wearing seat belts or helmets; queue-cutting; using mobile phones while driving; overloading; and carrying loads in a dangerous manner.

At the same time, he said JPJ would enhance enforcement on commercial vehicles and public transport, focusing on technical aspects including compliance with speed limitation devices (SLD), Safety Audit (JISA), and operator permits.

Jazmanie said that operations had been strengthened through the use of technology and assets, including enforcement action cameras (EAC) and body-worn cameras (BWC), alongside patrols and monitoring involving 2,500 JPJ officers and staff, to ensure more efficient, transparent and effective enforcement.

“In addition, special operations targeting motorcyclists have also been carried out to increase compliance and reduce the risk of accidents, as motorcyclists remain among the most at-risk road users.

“Any form of violation of road laws will face strict enforcement action,” he said.

Jazmanie also reminded road users to always prioritise safety, obey traffic laws, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before starting their journey. — Bernama

GUA MUSANG, May 20 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has proposed the construction of new telecommunications towers in Felda Chiku 2 under the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) to improve internet coverage and enhance service stability and quality.

In a statement today, MCMC said the initiative was aimed at addressing residents' complaints over weak and inconsistent internet connectivity in the area.

It said that although basic internet infrastructure is available, monitoring found several locations to be blind spots requiring improvements in both coverage and service quality.

“Accordingly, MCMC has conducted telecommunications service quality tests at three locations identified by complainants to assess the actual coverage performance,” it said.

MCMC said the test results are being analysed in detail to determine the most appropriate follow-up measures to ensure a better user experience.

It added that the commission is also considering the installation of Starlink satellite internet devices as a temporary solution at locations to be identified later.

Meanwhile, Belia Felda Chiku 2 chairman Muhammad Zaidatul Azizi Mohd Zaidatul Azman said residents had been facing unstable internet coverage for the past three years.

He said about 200 households were forced to travel about one kilometre from their homes to obtain a stronger signal.

“Among the areas most affected are those around the mosque up to Gua Chiku 2. This has made it difficult for youths to carry out digital activities, including online learning and other daily tasks,” he said. — Bernama 

GUA MUSANG, May 20 — A temporary diversion on the Gua Musang-Lojing road, closed since December 3 last year due to a landslide, will open from Thursday (May 21).

Kelantan Public Works, Infrastructure, Water, and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin said reopening the route is crucial to restoring transport connectivity between Kelantan, Pahang, and Perak, which has been disrupted since the landslide.

“The reopening of this route is undoubtedly important in restoring the transport network and revitalising the interstate economic sectors, particularly involving agriculture, tourism, and logistics.

“On behalf of the state government, we will continue to do our best. I also express my appreciation to the Ministry of Works and the Works Minister for their concern and close cooperation in addressing this issue,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Since the route is a temporary diversion, he advised motorists to stay cautious when passing through the area.

It was previously reported that Section 107.6 of the Gua Musang-Lojing Road (FT185) at Pos Blau had collapsed, believed to have been caused by underground water movement. — Bernama 

GUA MUSANG, May 14 — A 55-year-old man was found dead today, believed to have been attacked by a herd of wild elephants near a riverbank close to a rubber plantation along Jalan Ladang Serasa here.

Gua Musang police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo said police received a report on the discovery of the victim’s body at 11.38am.

He said a police team from the Paloh 2 police station was dispatched to the scene to conduct investigations.

“They found elephant footprints and dung around the location, strengthening the possibility that the victim was attacked by the wild animals.

“Preliminary checks also found no criminal elements involved in the incident, while the victim’s body has been sent to Gua Musang Hospital for a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death,” he said in a statement today.

Following the incident, Sik advised the public, especially residents living near forest and plantation areas, to remain vigilant.

“The public is advised to avoid entering high-risk areas identified as wildlife habitats, particularly those frequented by elephants,” he said. — Bernama

KOTA BHARU, May 13 — A male Form One student died after reportedly being found unconscious at the hostel of Sekolah Menengah Paloh in Gua Musang yesterday.

Gua Musang police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo said police received a report regarding the incident from the victim’s father at 8.53 am yesterday.

He said the school had taken the 13-year-old boy to Chiku 03 Health Clinic.

“However, medical officers at the clinic confirmed that the victim had died.

“Following that, a post-mortem examination was conducted at Gua Musang Hospital at 3.30 pm on the same day. Preliminary investigations found that the cause of death was due to spontaneous bleeding in the head and fluid in the lungs,” he said in a statement today.

Sik added that further police examination found no elements of crime in the incident.

He said the victim’s body had been handed over to family members for burial arrangements and the case had been classified as sudden death, with further investigations still ongoing.

In this regard, Sik advised the public not to make any speculation regarding the incident as it could affect the sensitivity of the victim’s family. — Bernama