State govt to regulate digital advertising
KUCHING: The state government will take into account a recommendation made by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research( Mir os) to regulate the use of digital billboard for advertising by business operators.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Masing said such means of advertisement was coming up and the government needs to step in to regulate the usage.
“I will bring the matter up with my (cabinet) colleague on how best we can reduce it (digital advertising) as it can distract drivers’ attention and cause road accidents,” Masing told a press conference at his office at Bangunan Baitul Makmur here yesterday after meeting with Miros.
Miros chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye highlighted at the press conference that digital advertisement was partly to be blamed for causing accidents, and Miros had received several complaints from the public.
Lee said such adverts were found along Jalan Satok and hoped local authorities which issued the permits would take road safety into consideration.
Road safety should not be the sole concern of the federal government, but of the state government and the public.
Masing, who is Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation did not disclose when the matter would be brought up to the cabinet, but was certain that action would be taken to address the hazard.
According to him in some countries, governments were being sued for allowing the usage of digital advertisement which motorists found distracting.
Masing also welcomed the presence of Miros in Sarawak as the state was equally concerned about road safety and willing to work closely. He suggested that Miros help organise road safety campaigns in the state to create awareness among the people.
Miros director- general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said Miros was prepared to assist the state in research and development on road safety, which was a global concern.
According to him, about 1.3 million Malaysians die annually from road accidents.
“Here in Sarawak, the situation is not alarming, but we need to act before the situation gets worse,” Wong said.