The State Public Works Department (JKR) has been instructed to immediately fix a road in the Kinabatangan district after a tragic incident in which a garbage truck driver was killed by his own vehicle while trying to avoid a pothole.
Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, confirmed that he discussed the matter with the state JKR director on Monday (Jan 15), following the accident at Jalan Kampung Jaya Baru last week.
“After the meeting, the JKR director directed the road concessionaire to deploy its workers to carry out necessary repairs in the area to ensure the road is safe for use,” said the State Works Minister in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 16).
The victim, Mohamad Izuan Mambasang, 39, reportedly tried to avoid a pothole near SK Sentosa Jaya when the accident occurred at around 11am on Saturday (Jan 13).
Road concession workers repairing the road in Kinabatangan.
Reports of the incident quickly spread online, highlighting the issue of poor road conditions in the state.
Shahelmey clarified that Jalan Kampung Jaya Baru is part of the Pan Borneo Highway network which may undergo upgrades this year.
He explained that the road’s structure is deteriorating and can only be improved through a major upgrade under the highway project.
“Environmental factors including wet conditions due to the rainy season, as well as the high volume of traffic, have added stress to the road, which has exceeded its structural design lifespan,” he added.
“As we await the start of the Pan Borneo Highway package, the JKR, through its concessionaire, has been instructed to conduct necessary maintenance and repair works,” Shahelmey stated.
Additionally, he urged the state JKR director to engage all district and road maintenance engineers, as well as road concessionaires, to be proactive in monitoring the stretches under their supervision.
“Regular reports must be updated for management purposes and to apply for additional funding,” he emphasized.
