MCC urged to quickly improve Jalan Piasau

MIRI: A call has been made for Miri City Council (MCC) to re-consider whether Jalan Piasau here is still suitable for public use, considering the substandard construction of this new road.

Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon, in a press conference here yesterday, said the stretch was open to public just less than two months ago.

According to him, there have been continuous complaints on the safety of the road – even prior to its official opening.

“The potholes and the damage on the curbs expose the weaknesses in the design and construction of the road. I suspect such damage is caused by foundation failure.”

Dr Ting reiterated that MCC is responsible for the design and construction of Jalan Piasau, not Public Works Department (JKR). The 750m stretch, costing RM880,000, was designed by the council’s engineer and a local consultant.

“Apparently, no soil investigation was carried out, which is part and parcel of any road design. Even worse, I was told that some sections of the utility services underneath the road had not been relocated,” he said.

Dr Ting said it was clear that the road had not been properly planned – the design stage might have been rushed, and its construction was substandard with poor supervision.

“And the people of Miri are paying the price,” he lamented.

Dr Ting called upon the MPP to order a temporary road closure and also improve the road condition to prevent any accident from happening.