Transport operators and non-governmental organisations have given the thumbs up to the move for all saloon passenger cars to be fitted with airbags from next year but cautioned that the cost should not be passed on to buyers.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah told Bernama the move was good in the interests of safety but the association feared it would lead to an escalation of costs to consumers.

He also said mechanisms must also be in place for proper maintenance of the airbags as these needed to be checked periodically.   

Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha yesterday said local car manufacturers had agreed in principle to the move but four-wheel-drive vehicles would be exempted for the time being.

He said the move was aimed at reducing road deaths.

Spell out the details

Selangor and Federal Territory Taxi Operators and Car Rental Association president Datuk Aslah Abdullah urged the ministry to spell out the details on the move to avoid any confusion.

"Are lorries, taxis and buses also included. Does it only apply to new cars or also older ones?" he asked.

He said the association would support the move if it involved taxis but hoped it would not burden taxi drivers as they were already having a tough time making ends meet.

Meanwhile, a car dealer, Hamzan Husin, said the move was indeed timely in view of the high road fatality rate in the country.

However, he said the ministry should also explain whether older cars would be affected by the move.

- Bernama