Facilitate, don’t discourage micromobility, Najib tells govt

 

Najib Razak says the government can set safety rules for micromobility vehicles so they do not pose a danger to the users as well as members of the public. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Najib Razak has called on the government to facilitate the use of micromobility transportation instead of banning it.

“The use of micromobility vehicles can play an important role in the success of ‘first mile’ and ‘last mile’ connectivity,” he said on Facebook, referring to the journey taken by the public on public transportation systems.

Najib said optimal, effective and efficient “first mile”and “last mile” connectivity was vital for the success of the public transportation system, including the LRT, KTM Komuter, monorail and MRT.

To ease the use of micromobility vehicles and for safety purposes, he said, the government could impose a condition where such vehicles must first be approved in order to be sold here.

Such vehicles should be categorised according to the five in-city modes of transport – walking, cycling, motorcycle, car and bus.

He said micromobility users who act irresponsibly and disrupt other road users or pedestrians could also be penalised or heavily punished.

Last month, transport minister Wee Ka Siong said that certain micromobility vehicles like mopeds and electric scooters were banned from being used on roads.

Wee said this ban had been gazetted under the Road Traffic Rules and had been in effect since Dec 17. The ban covers mopeds, electric scooters (internal combustion engine power or human power) and personal mobility aids. - FMT