POTHOLES: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

CITY

POTHOLES: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

Friday, 7 May 2021
By Adib Danial

DAMANSARA – Potholes and bumpy roads in the state of Selangor are not odd, especially in under-construction areas such as Damansara. This matter has been debated for many years but up until now, no effective actions have been taken.

According to Jacob Mrugacz in his article via wolfpaving.com, the expansion and contraction of water hitting the soil under the Earth’s surface cause potholes. Parts of the pavement crumble when heavy vehicles drive over the weak spot in the lane, causing the material to break down from the weight.

Potholes can cause serious damage to vehicles including flat tires, dented or cracked rims, as well as damaged steering and suspension.

Although there have been many tragedies including death due to the imperfect condition of the roads, no party has come forth and carried out their duties to repair it.

On the morning of January 3, a senior citizen died after his motorcycle collided with a large pothole on the road in Kuala Lumpur. The following day it was announced that a 31-year-old food delivery rider died after his motorcycle skidded on the sidewalk after hitting a pothole.

The motorbike ridden by the victim near The Curve, Damansara.
(Source: Twitter / @NewsBFM)

The incident occurred around 1.15PM on Jalan PJU 7/2 in Mutiara Damansara near The Curve.

According to sources, the victim lost control of his vehicle and slid to the left side of the lane. The medical examiner pronounced the victim dead on the spot. According to the Petaling Jaya District Chief Police, the investigation was carried out under Section 41 (1) APJ 1987.

Netizens criticized the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Minister of the Federal Territories, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, for their inefficiency in dealing with such matters.

Amirul Amri, 21, a Lalamove rider who regularly uses the road on the Damansara highway said he always had a horrible experience where he almost had an accident because of the big potholes on the road leading to Kota Damansara.

“Many roads are still unrepaired during my work as a rider. Sometimes at night I don't see the potholes on the road because it's too dark so there was a time when I almost had an accident when going through the potholes.

“If the authorities cannot create lights along the way, at least fix the potholes as it involves the lives of others,” said Amirul during a face-to-face interview with Berita DIMENSi.

Malaysia's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, posted a picture of his swollen face on Twitter with the caption: “Potholes, ditch, KJ. 2020 keeps giving”
(Source: Twitter / @Khairykj)

Even so, there was a double-standard with Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, Malaysia's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, getting injured when his bicycle struck a pothole, resulting in him crashing near Banting, Selangor, on the morning of December 27.

He posted photos of his swollen face and the source of the damage on Twitter which triggered the Public Works Department of the Kuala Langat district to apologize to him.

Nonetheless, when the government takes too long to respond to potholes, the Ikatan Silaturahim Brotherhood is on the job.

Lando Zawawi, a producer, director, and activist, founded the Brotherhood 14 years ago as a volunteer organisation when he realised that many people driving through bad roads behind him were also putting themselves in danger.

If the authorities do not fix or repair the potholes within three days, this group will do so on their own.

With those actions shown by Ikatan Silaturahim Brotherhood, these never-ending cases should have more attention by the government and responsible authorities such as the Public Works Department (JKR) to fix the broken road before someone else did so that the same issue will not recur in the future.

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