Synergy of nine entities
Sarawak police collaborating with govt depts, agencies and others in setting up emergency response team to minimise and cope with road accidents
SIBU: The Sarawak police are drafting a special operation to ensure the ‘Op Selamat’ road safety campaign achieves its mission of minimising road accidents in the state.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Azman Yusof said for this purpose, the police will continue its collaboration with other government agencies and departments using the emergency response team ( ERT) approach.
The ERT comprises police, Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board, local authorities, Civil Defence Force (APM), Sarawak Rivers Board ( SRB), Malaysian Red Crescent ( MRC) and the Health Department.
“Through the formation of ERT, I hope all action plans that we have planned can be implemented more effectively and in an organised manner to reduce road accident cases particularly those involving fatalities.
“T he c ommi tment a nd cooperation from all departments and agencies involved shows their determination in finding solutions to this issue and their care for road users,” he said when officiating at an ‘Op Selamat’ campaign held in conjunction with Christmas, which started yesterday until Jan 1, 2019.
Also present were Second Finance Minister and Minister of International Trade and E- Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Pelawan assemblyman David Wong and Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit.
In a press conference later, Azman disclosed that 17 locations in seven districts in the state have been identified as accident-prone
The commitment and cooperation from all departments and agencies involved shows their determination in finding solutions to this issue and their care for road users. Datuk Azman Yusof, Sarawak Police Commissioner
areas.
These areas are KM2 and KM9 Bau/ Lundu Road in Bau; KM1, KM6, KM11 and KM11 Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa in Kota Samarahan; KM65 Jalan Sri Aman/Kuching and KM20, KM53 and KM56 Jalan Sri Aman/Sarikei in Sri Aman; KM35 Jalan Sri Aman/Sarikei in Lubok Antu; KM431 Jalan Betong/ Sarikei/ Meradong in Sarikei; KM71, KM79 and KM114 Jalan Sibu/Bintulu in Mukah and KM1 Jalan Lawas/ Trusan; and KM4 Jalan Lawas/Merapok in Lawas.
He said 18,780 road accidents were recorded in Sarawak from Jan to Nov this year – an increase of 3.3 per cent or 600 cases over the same period in 2017.
“However, the number of road fatalities have dropped from 345 – recorded from January to November 2017 – to 299 over the same period this year,” he added.
Azman also reminded motorists to be cautious when on the road and tolerant towards other road users.