KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) Youth will hold a 1Malaysia Licence Aid (BL1M) registration programme at Tasik Biru this Saturday to create greater awareness on the need to have a motorcycle licence among the rural people.

The programme, to be held from 9am till 11pm, hopes to register some 2,000 eligible applicants from the Mas Gading parliamentary constituency. The people are advised to bring along their Mykad and RM199 in money order for registration.

SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan who is also Minister of Social Development is expected to officiate at the event to be held at the Tasik Biru Square in Bau.

“Based on statistics the number of rural folk using motorcycles without a licence is actually high.

“BL1M provides an opportunity for the middle and lower-income people, especially the rural folk, to obtain a proper motorcycle licence. It also provides a second chance to those who have previously failed in their (riding) test,” SPDP Youth secretary Khairuddin Abdul Kadir told a press conference here yesterday.

Also present were SPDP endorsed candidate for Mas Gading Anthony Nogeh, Tasik Biru branch chairman Michael Siten and Youth chief Edid Ngupel.

Side activities of the Saturday programme include registration for the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) application and registration of SPDP and Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth volunteers. There would also be a live band, lion dance and karaoke performance to enliven the occasion.

BL1M, catering for application of class-B2 motorcycle licence, is targeting some 500,000 eligible individuals aged 17 till 40 years throughout the country. It is open to those without any driving licence.

“There is no shortcut when one applies for BL1M. Everybody is required to sit for the course and test conducted by the Road Transport Department. However, do note that applicants could take the computer examination not more than three times,” Khairuddin said.

The SPDP Youth will also participate at the Chinese New year programme at the nearby civic centre hosted by Bau District Office from 1pm till 4pm. Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to officiate at the function.