Road safety remains a pressing issue in Malaysia, with over 532,000 road accidents recorded between January and October 2024, including 5,364 fatal incidents. Vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and pedestrians account for a staggering 68% of these fatalities. In response to this crisis, TotalEnergies Malaysia, in collaboration with Arus Academy, launched the VIA Safe Mobility program in 2022. This initiative, tailored to Malaysia’s specific road safety challenges, reflects TotalEnergies’ core commitment to fostering a culture of safety.
To date, the VIA program has reached 11,964 students through the Ministry of Education’s DELiMA platform, offering free, interactive digital resources that blend engaging learning with curriculum-based education. This effort aims to empower young Malaysians to become advocates for safer road practices.
Jennifer Li, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Malaysia, emphasized the program’s significance: “Road safety is central to TotalEnergies’ commitment to the communities we serve. Creating safer roads begins with youth education and empowerment. Programs like VIA foster a culture of safe road usage among our youths by enabling them with the tools to advocate positive changes. Together, we hope to build a future where our roads are safer for everyone.”
Arus Academy’s CEO and Co-Founder, Alina Amir, echoed this sentiment: “The VIA program is about empowering students to take charge of their own environments. The solutions proposed by the students show how young minds, when given the right tools and guidance, can address real-world problems creatively and effectively.”
This year, the VIA Safe Mobility program spotlighted a remarkable achievement by students from SJK(C) Kwang Hwa, Sungai Nibong, Penang. These students not only won a EUR 5,000 grant at the national level to improve school road safety but also advanced to the regional competition, where they emerged as champions. Their innovative road safety solutions secured them a place in the global finals, where they competed against teams from Angola, Brazil, Lebanon, Madagascar, and Morocco.
Under the guidance of teacher mentor Ms. Chan Hui Lee, supported by teachers Ms. Lee Hooi Ching and Ms. Phang Poh Choo, a team of Primary 6 students—including Tan Jie Ling, Low Zi Ning, Oon Xin Jie, Tai Chee Ying, and Tan Zhi Ling—tackled the pressing road safety challenges around their school. Motivated by their principal, Madam Leong Sook Luan, the students identified key issues such as heavy traffic, high vehicle speeds, and the lack of pedestrian crossings, which put students and parents at constant risk.
In response, the team developed innovative solutions to address these challenges. Their proposals included:
- An Automatic Barrier Gate: To manage traffic flow, with a warning sign reading “AWAS Palang Automatik” (Caution: Automatic Barrier) to alert drivers.
- An Orange Alert Zone: Painted 100 meters before the pedestrian traffic light, prompting drivers to slow down and prepare for the school zone.
Guided by TotalEnergies Malaysia and Arus Academy, the students actively refined and implemented their ideas. They engaged local representatives, secured permits from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), and collaborated with Bike Commute Malaysia, a grassroots organization advocating for sustainable urban mobility. YB Tuan Kumaresan Arumugam, ADUN Batu Uban, provided critical feedback to ensure the solutions aligned with local infrastructure policies.
The team’s advocacy efforts not only paved the way for practical implementation but also fostered greater community awareness about road safety. The EUR 5,000 grant they received will help turn their vision into reality, creating a safer environment for their school and surrounding area.
This success story underscores the transformative power of youth advocacy, innovation, and collaboration in addressing critical societal issues. Through the VIA Safe Mobility program, TotalEnergies continues to champion safety, sustainability, and community engagement, inspiring future generations to take the lead in shaping safer communities worldwide.
