Cabinet orders agencies to improve law enforcement

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KOTA KINABALU: The Cabinet has ordered all related enforcement agencies to improve transport sector law enforcement besides taking immediate action.

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia director general Datuk Ir Dr Johari Basri said the order was an outcome of a meeting held by the Cabinet in efforts to reduce road casualties.

He said the order was made in the wake of recent statistics released by the Road Safety Department (RSD) where 397,194 accident cases were recorded in 2009 involving 24,672 people injured and 6,475 deaths.

“There were a 6.5 per cent and 3.5 percent increase in the two cases respectively compared to the 2008 statistics,” Johari said.

His text of speech was read out by DOSH director Mauziah Abdul Rahman when launching at the department’s seminar on transport sector safety in Sabah  here yesterday.

He said that reports from the Social Security Organization (Socso) showed 3,690 accidents at work involving transportation companies reported in 2009 which was 12.6 per cent higher than 2008’s.

Therefore, hes said bus operators and transportation companies must take up the responsibility to ensure that health safety aspects at work must always be a top priority in running their business.

Johari added that maintaining health and safety aspects as a top priority will not only maintain harmony within the workplace but also improve productivity by avoiding accidents.

All companies must abide by the Occupational Safety and Healthy Act 1994 which ensures safety, health and the welfare of workers on duty.

Meanwhile, some 230 people consisting of drivers from transportation companies and bus operators attended the seminar to obtain more information and knowledge about occupational safety and health management.