Ex-Japanese ambassador saddened by high motorcyclist mortality

KUALA LUMPUR: The very high rate of mortality among motorcyclists in road crashes in Malaysia has aroused the deep concern of a former Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia.

Dr Makio Miyagawa, Japan’s longest serving ambassador here for almost six years before ending his stint two months ago, said the majority of motorcyclists and pillion riders killed annually on Malaysian roads were youths, adding: “I have an acute sense of apprehension about the future of these young people”.

During his years in Malaysia, he had observed the motorcycle riding culture and was struck by their apathy in risking their lives.

“We have to tell the youths who risk their lives for joy that they are committing grave disrespect to their parents who created their life.

“In Japan, we are told that from hair to skin, a person was given all of his body by his parents. Not hurting your body is fundamental to filial piety,” he told Bernama here while on a week-long holiday with his family earlier recently.

Immersing himself in more philosophical thinking, he said: “And also those people don’t even think about how traumatic their mothers carried them in their wombs for nine months and the trauma of giving birth to them”.

Miyagawa said it is generally commendable that the young should overcome fear, be brave and push the boundaries to prove human progress, as it can empower people and make society and its nation more robust and prosperous.

“However, to waste the lives given to them for nothing productive and to endanger the lives of many other people in society should rather be accused and can never ever be applauded,” he added.

The diplomat also said he supported a recent proposal by the Safety First Group, a local citizens’ group concerned with promoting road and workplace safety, for motorcyclists to be confined to riding on designated left lanes only and at a lower speed limit.

“Very good proposals,” he remarked.

An average of 4,700 motorcyclists and pillion riders were killed annually in the last several years, with many thousands more seriously injured.

The Safety First group is campaigning for laws to be enacted to ban motorcycling along mixed lanes which is the main cause of fatal crashes, with maximum speed at 70km/h.

Dr Makio said he was privileged to have the unexpected pleasure both of being posted to this wonderful nation twice in his life and over five and a half years as Ambassador.

“Malaysian people are compassionate, warm-hearted and discreet, and particularly value friends.

“Malaysia is steadily pursuing nation-building with pride and is striving hard to seek growth. I hope Malaysia will play a leading role in Southeast Asia,” he said, adding that he would always miss the country, especially the warmth of the people and the tropical weather.