KUCHING, Nov 9: Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing today issued a stern warning to two road contractors undertaking the Pan Borneo Highway for the Sibu-Bintulu segment that he will raise up the issue in Parliament to review and if necessary to terminate their contacts.
He said, he was in favour of other companies which are more responsible and competent and caring to ensure there is safety of road users.
“These conditions have caused both major and minor traffic mishaps. How many more accidents do the contractors want to add to this road’s record? Even if the reputation for the highway does not bother them, the stain on their reputation should.
“(So), since the relevant contractors continue to neglect their obligations despite warnings and persuasions, I will raise this matter in Parliament to review the relevant contracts and seek to immediately terminate them in favour of other companies that are more responsible and competent for the sake of the safety of road users on the Pan-Borneo Highway,” Tiong said in a statement issued here today.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP reiterated that despite numerous reminders and requests by various parties and departments to improve the deficiencies of the relevant Pan-Borneo project portions, the contractors involved still only gave lip service with no substance to back their words.
“This irresponsible attitude means that road conditions are still incredibly sub-par and compromises road safety,” he said.
He pointed out that the worrying road conditions of the Pan-Borneo Highway are seriously endangering the safety of road users.
“Do the contractors know that this is a major road for commuters between Bintulu and Sibu?,” he said, adding that he had tried to remind the two contractors repeatedly in their previous meetings.
However, Tong said, these issues have been repeatedly neglected by the contractors.
“Now that the original deadline has passed for so long, the related issues are still being put aside without any sincerity by the contractors to actually take action.
“It is extremely disappointing to deal with such contractors. It becomes untenable and embarrassing for public figures to answer for their negligence and under-performance to the people. After all, the related issues are relatively easy to solve quickly and efficiently,” he said.
Tiong, who is also the special Envoy to the People’s Republic of China warned that the safety and lives of road users seemed to be of small concern to them.
“If there was no safe way to build a road for the people, why do these contractors bother bidding for the project?
“The various engineering issues discussed in the previous meetings include the absence of warning signs and lighting on many road sections under construction.
“Pavements with make-shift covers on potholes and non-standard asphalt roads. These conditions are not suitable for vehicles, have narrow paths, and are sunken in certain sections,” added Tiong. — DayakDaily
