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News Wrap-up: Of reckless driving and corruption

Oct 08, 2018

MOT considering banning reckless drivers for life

Image source: The Star

The Transport Ministry is concerned about the working conditions for lorry drivers.

This, as drivers may be taking illegal substances to stay on the road longer, to maximise profits at the expense of getting enough rest.

It was commenting after a trailer lost control and rammed into a car near the Menora Tunnel in Ipoh, killing five people. 

The trailer's driver allegedly tested positive for amphetamines, a drug that helps people stay awake longer. 

Separately, the Transport Minister is proposing tougher penalties for people who cause fatal accidents due to reckless driving. 

This includes the possibility of banning such drivers for life.

Currently under the Road Transport Act, causing death by reckless driving is punishable by jail time, a fine, and a driving ban of up to 10 years.

Meanwhile , the Ministry has suspended the trailer company's permit, pending an audit on the company.

It has also ordered MIROS conduct a detailed study on the Menora Tunnel, to look at how to reduce the number of accidents in the area.

This may include diverting heavy vehicles to alternative roads.

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MACC invites Zahid over for questioning Round 3

The UMNO president has reportedly been summoned to the MACC's headquarters on Wednesday, for further questioning. 

This will be the third time that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been called to give his statement.

Zahid was previously questioned in July on the alleged misuse of funds belonging to a foundation of which he is the Chairman.

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Tun Daim wants CEP's efforts made public

Council of Eminent Persons Chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin has called on the government to make the CEP's recommendations available to the public.

He told Channel NewsAsia,  the council interviewed more than 300 individuals, including bankers, businessmen, civil servants as part of the CEP's efforts to look into the government's finances.

Tun Daim says those interviews revealed a culture of turning a blind eye towards corruption.

He adds that because of the scale of corruption, it will take a much longer time for the country's economy to recover, compared to the past.

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Nazrin Hassan's body exhumed for second post-mortem

Image source: The Star

The body of Cradle Fund CEO Nazrin Hassan has successfully been exhumed for a second post-mortem to be conducted.

This, comes after the Court of Appeal dismissed the application by Nazrin's widow to postpone it. 

The court allowed the exhumation light of new evidence regarding his death.

Nazrin died in June in what appeared to be a house fire.

However, police reclassified the case as murder due to possible elements of foul play.

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Independent Stevie Chan lodges report against Anwar ahead of PD by-election

Independent candidate Stevie Chan is accusing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of trying to bribe voters in the Port Dickson by-election this weekend.

Chan has lodged a police report, accusing the de-facto PKR leader of violating the Election Offences Act.

This allegedly includes Anwar's offer of a free online tuition session and other development promises made during his campaign.