Monday, June 05, 2006

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Residents turn to Keadilan on danger spot

Daily Express

MENGGATAL: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah has called on the State Government to give priority to public safety and not wait for more road tragedies to happen.

Its Public Complaints Bureau Chief, Christina Liew said a request for an additional U-turn along Jalan Sepanggar-Menggatal from residents of Taman Seri Maju, Sepanggar Ria, Taman Bukit Setia and Taman Jaya Diri over the last two years had fallen on deaf ears.

These low and medium-cost housing estates have a total of about 2,500 residential units.Presently, the existing U-turn is at Taman Malawa Jaya, two km from Taman Seri Maju.To save fuel, motorists and motor-cyclists are making illegal U-turns at the spot (opposite Taman Seri Maju) to proceed to the housing estate. That spot is actually a legal U-turn to go to Taman Jaya Diri (opposite Taman Seri Maju).

"That's how accidents have occurred, some with fatalities. Moreover, residents have to spend unnecessarily on fuel. It is so impractical. But nothing has been done to rectify the situation. I can understand the people's frustration."The Government must listen to the rakyat's grouses as they voted the Government into power. All they want is an additional U-turn about 200 metres from the spot in question," she said after meeting the residents committee named JKK Perkesan, Taman Seri Maju and Sepanggar Ria.

Based on the committee's report, Liew noted that passing the buck appeared to be a common phenomenon under the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government.

"Obviously, the public service delivery system needs to be improved. Are there 'Little Napoleons' trying to hamper speedy action on the part of the relevant authorities?"She stressed that what the people want is positive action and results, not beautiful budget speeches.

Speaking to reporters, Chairman of JKK Perkesan, John Gobel said, seeking help from the Opposition in highlighting the problem was a last resort as he had exhausted all government avenues."Nobody seems to bother about the 'death-trap' which had taken away several lives.

"The committee initially approached Suhakam in 2004 and was advised to deal with the Public Works Department (JKR). Suhakam also wrote to Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) in December 2004 but the matter is not within the jurisdiction of the latter.

"JKR told us that it is the job of the housing developer to provide the additional U-turn. But the developer disagreed, saying Jalan Sepanggar-Menggatal is a public road.We even met with Karambunai Assemblywoman Jainab Datuk Hj Ahmad Ayid twice, once at her office," said Gobel.

In January last year, the committee attended a dialogue at the office of Wah Mie Group where it was decided to make an application to JKR for the provision of an additional U-turn. Jainab was present too.

"Two months later, the committee met with the Director of JKR who asked his officer to handle the matter."To date, we have submitted to JKR two different proposals for the U-turn as the first one was said to be unsuitable for road-users. The second proposal was handed to the Deputy Director of JKR in April this year," Gobel said showing copies of correspondences with the various parties as proof.

Earlier this year, the committee also brought the matter to the attention of the Public Complaints Bureau under the Chief Minister's Department (JKM).

Also present at Saturday's meeting were Gobel's deputy, Nulhassan Hj Moksan, Vice-Chairperson Hiew Nyuk Ken and Committee Member Jerry's Hiskandar.

Nulhassan called on the Government not to evade its responsibilities. "Be action-oriented. Having dialogues will not resolve any problem," he said.

1 Comments:

Blogger Gundohing said...

Another suggestion from the opposition? Parti Keadilan is NOT helping the rakyat.

I say so because BN with UMNO leadership will definitely will tow the line by not supporting anything from the opposition. Datuk Jainab will be subjected to deciplinary action for working along in line with the opposition...

BN government will come up with theories (excuses) that the U-turn is not suitable due to some obscure JKR specifications, safety issues, town planning restrictions, council's requirements bla. bla. bla.. and more bla's.

Gundohing

9:02 PM  

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