Driving learners to the Net
Liow: Ministry may use e-manual to end code book shortage
MELAKA: The Transport Ministry will look into an online option to address the shortage of Highway Code books for learner drivers during peak seasons, says its minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Liow said the recent shortage in Selangor was due to the surge in registration at driving schools by those completing their SPM examination and also the school holidays.
“I have instructed the Road Transport Department director-general to overcome the shortage.
“We are looking at other options including the e-manual to address the insufficient supply,” he said after launching the “Jom Teguh” carnival at SJK (C) Yu Ying, Jalan Bukit Godek in Semabok, here.
Liow was commenting on The Star’s exclusive report on Saturday that 6,000 students from 20 driving schools in Selangor cannot sit for their learner driver’s test owing to an apparent shortage of the books.
The acute shortage also affected other driving schools throughout the country.
Driving schools have an average of between 1,000 and 1,200 applicants for “L” licences each month and the scarcity of books has delayed scheduled tests across the country.
Meanwhile, while launching the carnival, Liow who is also the MCA president, said the party will con- tinue to maintain its multicultural approach to serve all Malaysians.
He said MCA will not change its stance based on the current political landscape and will hold on to the principle of championing the rights of all Malaysians regardless of creed.
“MCA is committed towards building a prosperous future by upholding the righteous path, mul- ticultural Malaysia and religious freedom,” he said, adding that focus is on the next five “golden” years to spur economic growth across the country.
Liow said MCA had contributed and promoted moderation as part of its value system for the past 68 years.
He said MCA also managed to reconnect with 3,000 of its inactive members here during the two-day carnival. The party traced some 500,000 members nationwide through similar programmes.
Hundreds of people joined the carnival, which started on Saturday. Various activities were held, including a drawing contest for children, cooking show, flower decoration workshop and health screening.