KOTA KINABALU: Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (pic) has called for urgent regulatory reforms following a third consecutive monthly accident involving timber lorries on Sabah’s public roads.
The latest incident occurred on April 21 in Nabawan, prompting fresh concerns after previous accidents on Feb 21 and March 3 involving falling logs and a trailer fire, respectively.
Yong, also a nominated assemblyman, cited an April 17 written reply from the Chief Minister's Department to his question at the State Legislative Assembly, stating that the timber lorry involved in the February accident complied with all Forestry Department regulations.
He argued that if such incidents can still occur despite regulatory compliance, it signals serious shortcomings in the current safety and enforcement frameworks.
Yong, also SAPP President, urged the Forestry Department and Road Transport Department (RTD) to immediately review and strengthen timber transport regulations, especially on major routes such as the Tawau-Kalabakan-Keningau highway.
