KUCHING: Two vehicle owners using the tunnel underpass of an overhead bridge in Satok yesterday morning had the misfortune of having their windscreens cracked by a dangling chain which broke off from a signboard above.
Although they were not hurt, the incidents left both motorists angry that the broken chain was not repaired.
Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor, Datuk Abang Wahap Julai, when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune, expressed his surprise that the plastic chain could cause such extensive damage to the windscreens. He believed that the vehicles might be travelling at high speeds when the incidents happened.
He advised the vehicle owners to lodge police reports.
According to him, with the police reports, the costs of repair and with details of the incidents, they can approach any DBKU counter or lodge reports with Talikhidmat, which caters for all public feedbacks including complaints, enquiries, suggestions, requests for help relating to any Sarawak government agencies, and “DBKU will take it from there”.
Wahap added, “Although it is a protocol road and under the Public Works Department (JKR), the maintenance comes under DBKU.
“However, we will do a thorough investigation on why the incidents happened. If the vehicles involved are above the maximum height permitted, then we will not compensate the owners. I believe the chain broke because a high vehicle was passing through the area,” he said.
Wahap added DBKU would not pay the complainants directly but through their insurance agencies.
“Every year, we pay hefty sums of premiums to insurance companies for incidents like trees falling on vehicles,” he said, adding that the insurance adjusters would also conduct their own investigations.
“Late last year, a tree fell on a vehicle in the Reservoir Park and after our investigations, the car owner was compensated. That was the only case last year.”
Wahab explained that DBKU would liaise with the JKR to investigate why the chain broke and ensure that the faulty chain was removed and the signage repaired to prevent similar incidents from occuring in future.
The mayor also advised vehicle owners not to speed past any hanging cables or chains as this could be dangerous. He also called on road users to report any damaged
utilities to DBKU.
