Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong: Our driving curriculum is irrelevant, needs updating

• Drivers Education Curriculum (KPP) needs updating
• Candidates need to fork out RM 13 for new handbook
• Goal is to produce more prudent and competent drivers

Malaysia's Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong has explained why the current Drivers Education Curriculum (KPP) needs to be regularly updated. He shared with Bernama that the old Drivers Education Curriculum (KPP) book is not suitable to be reused by future drivers because of the dynamic nature of road rules and environments. Talk about water being wet. 

Wee said, "The old KPP does not meet the government's wishes and intentions to make the book as a permanent reference to every driver on the road," in response to Senator Lau Hui Yew's question on why new students of driving institutes are required to buy a KPP book priced at RM13 and why the old book cannot be reused.

Also read: If we want safer roads, we need to revamp our driving school syllabus

According to Wee, the KPP had been structured to the theoretical and practical learning needs of safe driving which is the basic and mandatory reference for all prospective drivers as well as trainees that can be used continuously.

He said the Road Transport Department (RTD or JPJ) wanted every licensed driver to have a copy of the book as one of the government’s initiatives towards producing more prudent and competent drivers who have knowledge about road laws and regulations.

He said each KPP book has a serial number which is needed to allow candidates to sit for Part One of the driving test. "Each KPP book purchased is equipped with a serial number for each book to each candidate. Candidates need to buy the KPP book to get the serial number to sit for the Part I Test," he explained.

Responding to Lau’s supplementary question on why it was not in soft copy and given free to students, Wee said the ministry would study the matter as part of its efforts to digitise RTD services.

Also read: Outdated and woefully incomplete, Malaysia's driving curriculum needs a major update

WapCar's Opinion

Updated or not, the standards of driving in Malaysia is definitely a reflection of the Drivers Education Curriculum (KPP), one that needs fixing from the ground up. A new RM 13 book will not change much.