Tawau: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) booth at the Sabah edition of the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Tawau here drew a large crowd this morning, as visitors took advantage of the opportunity to exchange their old helmets for new ones, free of charge.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, despite the counter officially opening at 9 am, people were seen queuing with their old helmets for exchange as early as 7.30 am. Aslina Alias, 33, who was among the earliest in line, said that although she knew the helmet exchange programme would only begin at 9 am, she had no issue waiting early to ensure she didn't miss the opportunity to receive a new helmet for free. She stated, 'This programme is really good. When I found out about it on social media, I asked my friend to come along and take advantage of this government initiative.'

Sabarudin Zainudin, 58, from Kampung Tanjung Batu Laut, expressed his gratitude for the government's concern in offering the helmet exchange initiative for free at the PMR 2025 Sabah. He said, 'Thanks to the government. I'm glad I could replace my old, worn-out helmets with new ones that are SIRIM-certified and safe to use.'

Meanwhile, Azman Poji, head of the Sabah JPJ Management, Road Safety, and Corporate Division, said that 3,100 adult helmets were available for the helmet exchange programme during the three-day PMR 2025 Sabah event, which kicked off today. He noted that 300 helmets for children would also be distributed free of charge during the programme. Azman explained the distribution plan: 'We will distribute 800 adult helmets today and (another 800) tomorrow, followed by 1,500 on the final day (Sunday). For children, 100 helmets will be given out each day.'

Azman further explained that the programme is open to all Malaysian citizens, requiring only an identity card and the old helmet for exchange. For children aged six and above, guardians need only present the child's MyKid to receive a new helmet. Additionally, the JPJ booth offered services for checking and settling traffic summonses.

Themed 'Eliminating Poverty Through Entrepreneurship', PMR 2025 Sabah is a government initiative by the Performance Acceleration and Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development as the lead ministry and the Sabah government as host, aimed at delivering government services directly to the people.