Potholes: 'Use right channel to complain instead of venting on social media' says Works Minister
SHAH ALAM - Works Minister has urged the public to use designated channels to lodge complaints, as it would be more helpful for the Public Works Department (JKR) than resorting to social media.
Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said if the road is potholed, send the information through the designated channel prepared by the Malaysian Public JKR or the Works Ministry (KKR).
"Rather than spreading the news or complaining on social media, which might lead to confusion, it is better to send us a picture alongside your complaint via WhatsApp. "So if you see that the road is damaged and there are potholes, make a complaint in the right way. It is best to use the designated channel," he urged.
Commenting further, he added that JKR admitted that Malaysian roads have pothole issues.
"We admit our roads have problems with potholes; that's why we have set up several channels for citizens and road users to complain.
"As it would help JKR to lead where there are potholes, we do have a certain avenue for us to respond quickly and carry out repair works.
"We are now planning a programme to deal with pothole issues that will be announced at the federal level first, and after that, it will be made available on public platforms such as social media," Alexander told Sinar Daily at Karangkraf.
He also said there are potholed roads regardless of whether they are urban or rural, but as Works Minister, he focuses specifically on federal roads, which are highways.
"Those are classified as federal roads as well because they are specifically under JKR. Meanwhile, there are other roads under the district or municipal councils. Hence, the responsibility for doing the work to repair the potholed roads rests with them, as not all roads are carried by JKR Malaysia.
"The cause of potholes, I understand, is that sometimes due to an overloaded vehicle, which affects the pavement, including the monsoon rains, which are too much, it also affects the pavement. The road also becomes soft and potholed, and there is also dredging work that is not repaired again, so over time it also becomes potholed," he said.
He said programmes have been planned in order to increase user awareness, and if the road has restrictions on load, do not carry a load that exceeds that specified load.
"To all road users, let us be equally responsible, so consider that the road is our road, so use the road properly, and if you bring a small car, that's not the problem," he expressed.
