Driving schools may reopen after Raya or Gawai — Lee

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KUCHING: Driving schools and institutes in the state should be allowed to reopen after Hari Raya or Gawai Dayak celebrations, says Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

Datuk Lee Kim Shin

He said so following appeals made by various driving schools and institutes received by the state government of late.

“We are looking into the matter but we hope they will be allowed to operate again. We hope the federal government will allow them to reopen hopefully after Hari Raya or Gawai Dayak celebrations,” he told a press conference held at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) headquarters here yesterday.

State JPJ director Mohd Syafiq Anas Abdullah was also present.

Driving schools and institutes have recently urged the state and federal governments to allow driving schools throughout the country to operate again, albeit, with minimal manpower or students at a time.

The request was made taking into account that times had been hard for driving schools since the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, resulting in them having no income.

Among suggestions made are that driving schools are allowed to conduct lessons with a controlled number of students and staff at any one time and with limited number of lessons per week, to enable them to earn some income.

Meanwhile, Lee said the state government would be giving offer letters to stage bus transportation companies in Kuching today (May 21) following the state government’s proposal for the implementation of RM1 flat rate bus fare in Sarawak.

Lee said stage bus transportation companies in Kuching were the last batch to be given the letter.

“We have done the same in Miri, Sibu, Sarikei, and now Kuching. This is in line with the state government’s support for bus companies to improve their services,” said Lee.

To address challenges faced by bus companies and assist users especially those from the low-income group, the  Ministry of Transport had proposed the implementation of RM1 flat rate bus fare in Sarawak.

The objectives are to encourage more people to use public transport, provide opportunities for bus companies to improve services, and reduce urban traffic congestion.

The implementation of the flat rate bus fare has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.