Chinese authorities are investigating after a truck driver took his own life after he was allegedly fined 2,000 yuan (RM1,262) because his satellite navigation had become disconnected. The incident has highlighted problems encountered by domestic users of the Chinese-made BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, which the Chinese government hopes will rival the US’ Global Positioning System (GPS). Jin’s experience with the BeiDou system is one shared by truckers across China, Yuan Peng, a 25-year-old former truck driver based in Guangzhou, told the South China Morning Post. He said the BeiDou system is required to be installed on trucks, otherwise the Ministry of Transport will not issue a quality certificate for the vehicles. Posts on the Hebei government website also complained of being fined over BeiDou disconnection issues.

Source: The Star April 09, 2021 07:31 UTC