MTSB Bill in the Works to Streamline Transport Safety

The government is moving closer to establishing a Malaysia Transport Safety Board (MTSB), with legislation expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this June. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Cabinet has already agreed in principle to the creation of the board, but a dedicated law is required before it can be fully implemented.

He said the Bill is currently being drafted, with preparatory work nearing completion following discussions with various ministries and agencies. These talks are focused on ensuring the new board can function effectively without duplicating existing roles.

One of the main challenges, Loke noted, is the need to integrate or restructure the responsibilities of current bodies such as the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). This process must align with the government’s stance, as well as that of the Public Service Department, against significantly expanding the number of civil service positions.

The aim, he said, is to minimise the financial burden on the government while ensuring transport safety oversight is properly coordinated under a single framework. Balancing these considerations has been one of the key hurdles in setting up the MTSB.

Loke was speaking during his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for the Ministry of Transport in the Dewan Rakyat.

In a separate matter, the minister rejected claims that the Ministry of Transport had sidelined or discriminated against certain state governments in infrastructure development. He said the ministry has never closed the door to negotiations, including on projects involving ports and related facilities.

Any perception of unfair treatment, he added, is largely due to misunderstandings over how projects are approved. Loke said that if there are genuine needs, such as funding challenges for critical infrastructure like breakwaters, these issues should be raised with the ministry so they can be discussed and resolved through proper channels.

Source: Bernama