Individuals caught littering along Sarawak’s Pan Borneo Highway will face legal action under local authority ordinances, as authorities tackle roadside waste.
KUALA LUMPUR: Littering along the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak is now subject to legal action under the Local Authorities Ordinance.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the relevant local authorities (PBT) have jurisdiction to enforce the law along the highway route from Telok Melano to Miri.
He identified several causes for the rubbish problem during a Dewan Negara session. “The problem of rubbish along the highway is caused by several factors, including the attitude of some road users who irresponsibly throw rubbish out of their vehicles,” he stated.
Heavy vehicle drivers stopping to rest were also cited as contributors. “Heavy vehicles, particularly lorry drivers who stop at P-Turn areas, bus stops and road shoulders to rest or eat, often leave behind food waste and rubbish at those locations,” Ahmad added.
The minister was responding to a question from Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead regarding widespread littering along the major highway.
On maintenance, Ahmad said 15 of the highway’s 26 sections have been fully handed over to contractor PBH Asset Management Sdn Bhd. A three-year maintenance contract valued at RM69.25 million is in effect from September 2024 to August 2027.
The contract covers rubbish collection twice a week, periodic maintenance, and emergency response services. This is to ensure the safety, cleanliness and comfort of road users are consistently maintained.
Responding to another question, Ahmad defended the cost of JKR’s solar streetlights. He explained that the cost of up to RM10,000 per unit meets high specifications and quality standards for road user safety.
The cost includes a five-year warranty and a special battery lasting up to two days without sunlight. “The units used by JKR have been tested in local and international laboratories to ensure optimum performance and safety,” he said.
Ahmad added that the price also covers technical factors like specific pole height, labour, and maintenance costs. This ensures targeted lighting coverage along the roadway.
