Kota Kinabalu: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said those found to have been negligent and failed to comply with container-handling safety standards, resulting in the deaths of a father and daughter in Sepanggar, would be held accountable.
Mustapha, who is also Sepanggar Member of Parliament, called on the police and the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause of the fatal accident, especially on safety procedures for heavy vehicle operations in the area.
“If there was negligence and non-compliance involving any party, I will make sure that those responsible are held accountable. Enough is enough, as we have had enough of these accidents involving heavy vehicles recurring in Sepanggar.
Mustapha“As a father, my heart sank upon receiving news of this heartbreaking tragedy, and our priority is to ensure that the victims’ family receives the appropriate support and that justice is served,” he said in a Facebook post, Monday.
Mustapha, who extended his condolences to the victims’ family, said he had instructed the Sepanggar Parliamentary Service Centre (Suara Sepanggar) to visit the family and identify their urgent needs, as well as help review and facilitate applications for any assistance and compensation they may be eligible to.
AliakbarMeanwhile, Karambunai Assemblyman Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan said the tragedy must serve as a serious reminder to all parties that road safety aspects should not be taken lightly.
He said the presence of containers and trailers parked along the route from the Sepanggar Tunnel to Sabah Port warrants immediate attention to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
He stressed that the safety of road users cannot be compromised, especially when conditions along the route have the potential to pose greater accident risks.
He called on Sabah Ports, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and all relevant parties to take swift action within their respective jurisdictions.
He said such actions include reviewing the parking management of heavy vehicles, tightening safety monitoring and stepping up regulatory enforcement to ensure road users’ safety is consistently safeguarded.
“Let us not only act after a tragedy occurs. Preventive measures must precede regret, as every life put at risk brings an invaluable loss to families and society,” he said.
Aliakbar said the incident should serve as a collective lesson that road safety is a shared responsibility and ought not to receive attention only after an incident happens.
He emphasised that efforts to prevent such tragedies require clear and sustained action from the responsible authorities.
“The safety of the public is not merely a demand, but a trust that must be upheld,” he said.
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