KAPIT: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing when commenting on the high fatality rate of road accidents here warned parents to educate and discipline their children on road safety aspects in order to drive safely while on the road.
He recalled that in the last two months, five young motorcyclists died in accidents along Jalan Selirik here. The latest happened two days ago when three motorcycles were involved in a head-on collision that claimed two youths who died on the spot while one was taken to Sibu Hospital for further treatment.
“This stretch of Selirik Road is most dangerous. In the last two months, five young people died on this stretch of the road. The dead are under 18 years old. My ministry (Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Ministry of Transport) has improved the road quality by resurfacing and tar-sealing it, filled pot holes and built ditches. This whole stretch is smooth, straight and free of obstacles. Many road users appreciated the good condition of the road. However, the youngsters on motorcycle use this stretch of road as their racing track. This has resulted in fatal road accidents,” Masing said when he officiated at a safety talk at the Civic Centre here on 20 April which was jointly organised by Kapit Resident’s Office, Sarawak Energy Berhad and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for contractors of the Kapit-Baleh Road and the early phases of Baleh hydroelectric power dam (HEP).
The talk reinforces the commitment towards safety and zero tolerance to accidents at the work places.
He urged parents to discipline their children and wanted the youth to stop becoming ‘Mat Rempit’ (illegal racers).
“If parents cannot discipline their children and the children continue with their reckless driving on the road then I feel that there is no reason to further improve roads here. There are other roads in the state that need to be improved,” he said.
