Road Transport Department (JPJ) offices nationwide will issue high-security driving licences (LMBT) from July 15 to replace the current driving licence which has been used since 1989.

Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said LMBT which has better security features will be available at post offices from November.

“This proactive measure in reforming our driving licence with high security features is to prevent it from being forged,” he told reporters after visiting the JPJ office in Kuala Lumpur today.

Features include pre-printed plastic cards with sophisticated design, special software to protect information and photograph of licence holders and the images stored in the JPJ database for tighter security.

On the boat tragedy in Sarawak, Hishammuddin urged the Sarawak Rivers Board to review and end the monopoly of river transport services in the area.

He said the board should issue operating licences to more companies as the competition would improve the safety features for the benefit of passengers.

In the May 28 tragedy, 213 passengers survived when the boat authorised to carry only 75 passengers capsized in Sungai Rajang.

Two passengers are still missing while one was killed in the express boat tragedy in Belaga.

- Bernama