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SARIKEI – Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas yesterday advised motorists to abide by regulations when using the Pan Borneo Highway, following a series of public complaints and issues, along with the unauthorised removal of safety equipment at construction sites along the highway.
He also had the same advice for the Public Works Department and its contractors, reminding them to replace plastic barriers, beacons and signage that went missing or were damaged and to step up monitoring once replaced or repaired.
“I’m asking the (highway construction) team to study all these (issues) and to continue to monitor the situation...not just repair them and forget about it. For the public, please cooperate with us, That (equipment) is for the purpose of safety, so leave it there,” he said after inspecting the highway’s Work Package Contract 06 near Jakar here yesterday.
He was responding to complaints that missing safety equipment – most likely due to motorists removing barriers to make U-turns to avoid having to travel a distance to make a P-turn instead – had led to several road accidents at uncompleted sections of the highway.
Complaints have recently mounted following the June 5 accident at KM62 Sibu-Bintulu Road near Selangau, where five people, including a two-year-old toddler, were killed after the Jakar section of the highway was flooded due to heavy downpours.
“Motorists should abide by the road signs and speed limit to ensure their own safety. The Public Works Department and its contractors have to take public complaints and concerns seriously, find solutions and rectify the situation immediately,” he added.
Sarikei MP Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii and Meradong state assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing were also present during Uggah’s inspection. – Bernama, June 20, 2023