Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Sepanggar Chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman urged the State Government to establish a special committee to address container handling, heavy vehicle movements and road lighting around the port before more lives are lost.
“Enough. Two lives have been lost. Make sure the same tragedy does not happen again,” he said.
He proposed that the committee comprise the Road Transport Department (JPJ), police, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), relevant road authorities, port management and logistics companies.
Its priorities should include a safety audit, tighter container handling procedures, improved lighting and a review of container lorry movements, with a clear action plan announced to the public within 30 days.
Azis said investigations should examine the container operator’s role and establish whether negligence or breaches of safety regulations contributed to the tragedy.
“If wrongdoing was established, action should extend beyond the driver to any company management found responsible.
“How can high-risk container lifting and unloading operations be carried out so close to a public road?“I urge an immediate inspection of lighting along the road leading to the Sepanggar tunnel and inside the tunnel,” he said, adding that dark conditions could endanger motorists, particularly at night.
On port operations, Azis proposed designated areas for lifting, unloading and storing containers away from public roads.
He said container lorry entry and exit arrangements should be reorganised, with suitable holding areas and dedicated heavy vehicle routes considered where necessary.
Azis also urged the Government to reassess Warisan’s earlier proposal for an international port in Kudat, including the possibility of relocating some container operations from Sepanggar, subject to technical and economic studies.
“The proposal had been discussed during the previous Warisan administration as part of Sabah’s long-term development planning and included in the party’s election manifesto.
“The areas surrounding Sepanggar Port were increasingly developed, with housing estates, educational institutions, commercial centres and tourism destinations such as Karambunai.
“How long must we allow roads used by residents to continue sharing the same routes with container lorries and heavy vehicles?” he said.
Azis also called for appropriate assistance for the bereaved family and said they should have access to justice if investigations established negligence.
