Works Minister Demands Urgent Report On Kluang Pothole Crash

A tragic accident in Kluang has once again underscored the enduring challenges surrounding road maintenance in Malaysia. The unfortunate deaths of two students, resulting from their motorcycle colliding with a pothole, have ignited concerns regarding road safety and the accountability of highway concessionaires.

Following that, Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, convened a meeting in Melaka on Wednesday (March 26) lasting over two hours, with representatives of the concessionaire responsible for the maintenance of the Jalan Sengkang-Felda Inas-Bandar Tenggara road.

During this meeting, the Minister directed the concessionaire to provide a detailed explanation to the Ministry. “I cancelled the post-cabinet meeting at the ministry to meet in person with representatives of the concessionaire company responsible for maintaining the road, namely Selia Senggara Selatan Sdn Bhd in Melaka. I have also strongly reprimanded them and said that the concessionaire must step up its efforts to ensure that the roads under their responsibility are always in good condition for the safety of users,” he said in a Facebook post.

He emphasized that road maintenance concessionaire companies must proactively uphold road maintenance standards, as it is their contractual obligation and a matter of public safety. He stressed the urgency of this matter, stating that he doesn't want any more lives lost due to inadequate road infrastructure.

Previously, The Star reported the terrible death of two brothers, aged 17 and 16, who were on their way to school when their motorbike hit a pothole on Jalan Sengkang - Felda Inas - Bandar Tenggara in Kluang, Johor, causing the motorbike to swerve and the victims to tumble onto the road.