KUALA LUMPUR — Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, has called on the Malaysian government to prioritize preventive measures in the upcoming 2027 budget to reduce accidents, illnesses, pollution, and disaster risks nationwide.
Lee emphasized that investing in prevention is more cost-effective than addressing the aftermath of safety and environmental incidents. He proposed the creation of a National Safety Prevention Fund aimed at supporting initiatives in areas such as road and workplace safety, school safety, public infrastructure improvements, disaster preparedness, and overall community safety.
The fund would also target road accident black spots, pedestrian facilities, road maintenance, street lighting, road markings, and the introduction of traffic-calming measures to enhance public safety. Lee highlighted the importance of promoting commuting safety programs for employees, especially motorcycle riders, as part of broader occupational safety and health efforts.
Regarding workplace safety, Lee urged the government to allocate additional resources to the Occupational Safety and Health Department to bolster inspections and enforcement, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and high-risk industries including construction, manufacturing, logistics, and transportation. He further advocated for integrating mental health into occupational safety frameworks, recommending tax incentives or grants to encourage employers to implement psychosocial risk assessments, counseling services, anti-bullying policies, and employee assistance programs.
Lee also stressed the urgency of responding to climate change impacts by enhancing investments in climate adaptation and disaster prevention. He noted that Malaysia is increasingly vulnerable to floods, landslides, heatwaves, and other climate-related hazards. Proposed measures include expanding early-warning systems, improving flood mitigation infrastructure, conducting slope monitoring, and developing climate-resilient public facilities alongside community disaster preparedness efforts.
On environmental health, Lee urged the government to expedite the enactment of a comprehensive Clean Air Act. Citing recurring haze and air pollution challenges, he called for stronger legislation and enforcement to address industrial emissions and open burning. He recommended that Budget 2027 allocate sufficient funding for air-quality monitoring, emission control measures, enforcement activities, and research into pollution-related health impacts.
Lee’s proposals underscore the need for a holistic and proactive approach to public safety, environmental protection, and health as part of the nation’s development priorities in the next fiscal year.