Regular inspection better than high profile surprise site visits, Tiong tells Baru
KUCHING: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing says Works Minister Baru Bian should regularly go to the ground and inspect the Pan Borneo Highway project construction regularly instead of fishing for media coverage through surprise visits.
Tiong who is also Bintulu MP added that Baru should be aware of the problems on the ground because he (Tiong) had raised issues related to the Pan Borneo project in Parliament numerous times for the past one and a half years regarding its safety defects and deficiencies.
Tiong noted ironically Baru is the MP for Selangau where the condition of the highway is very bad and the motorists using that stretch of the highway had been complaining of potholes and dangerous condition.
“Issues affecting the build quality of the Pan Borneo Highway project brought up by Works Minister Baru Bian in recent statements are entirely not new.
“Obviously, the Minister has not been receiving the memo on the substandard quality of the highway project, even though hundreds of complaints have been aired through mainstream media, social media and even raised in Parliament.
“While it is good to know that the Minister of Works has finally decided to experience the actual conditions of the highway himself, this response is late, “said Tiong in a statement yesterday.
He was commenting on news reports of Baru testing the Miri to Bintulu stretch last Saturday (Dec 14) night and Bintulu to Sibu stretch the next morning himself following complaints from the public.
Baru was quoted in the news reports as saying there were many potholes that could endanger road users especially at night when visibility is poor.
According to Tiong, this statement by Baru was contradictory to his own previous statements expressing satisfaction and lavishing praise on the progress of the highway project.
He also asked whether Baru could find any excuse for JKR’s neglect in supervising the road works and maintenance and whether he has any plans to bolster the supervision of the construction project.
“His so-called surprise inspections should be done on newly completed road sections or as soon as complaints are received from road users. If all issues are le to the contractors to resolve without any supervision, what’s the point of the Works Minister?
“With so many festive holidays coming soon, how will JKR ensure the safety of motorists and resolve the existing potholes and distressed sections?
“Furthermore, these poor road conditions drastically lengthen driving times; it takes five hours to drive from Miri to Sibu and with the journey from Sibu to Kuching taking 12 to 13 hours, a flight to London is quicker,” he said.
Tiong believed if le unchecked, in the long run Pan Borneo Highway might end up costing more in public funds and posing a major inconvenience to road users.
He added Baru must now prioritise a review of the construction and maintenance guidelines and keep the contractors’ to their ethical and contractual obligations to ensure the safety and quality of the Pan Borneo Highway.
“The contract provisions must be reexamined and contractors must be held responsible for resolving road issues, not just be given ‘stern warnings’ through the newspapers or social media.
“I sincerely hope the Minister does not wait another year before making another ‘surprise inspection’ or perhaps dozens of lives could be lost in that time,” he said.