KUCHING: With 8,000km of state roads to maintain, it is timely for the state government to establish its own slope inventory, assessment and maintenance system.
This was particularly so with more roads to be built in rural areas, which involved cutting of slopes along mountainous areas, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.
“It is imminent that our ministry protect these assets that we have built before they are affected by any slope failures. Preventive measures should be implemented to avoid costly remedial works.”
Masing, who is also Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister, said Sarawak spent hundreds of millions annually in slope repairs.
The inherent ground conditions, design and construction errors plus lack of maintenance of slopes, were major causes to slope failures, he said in a statement.
“The incidence of Highland Tower in 1993 which resulted in 48 deaths was a wake-up call to the West Malaysian authorities concerned to come up with appropriate policies for slope management monitoring and maintenance.
“So far, slope protection system has been implemented in West Malaysia and Sabah except for Sarawak.”
He said a recent visit by the ministry to the Baleh Hydroelectric Project (HEP) access road revealed that although still under construction, numerous slope failures had already occurred along the access road.
He therefore stressed that it is imminent that slope failures along this road be assessed, monitored and maintained before the road is handed over to the Public Works Department (JKR).
“A drive with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg from Sibu to Kapit a few days ago had also shown that the integrity of some SEB (Sarawak Energy Berhad) towers are under threat from slope failures.
“Slopes with unacceptable risk conditions along state roads should be identified to ensure safe, uninterrupted and reliable usage of our infrastructure.”
He said slope protection monitoring is equally important to ensure the integrity of telecommunication towers, electricity poles, and gas and water pipelines remained intact.
This is in addition to ensuring safe passage and mitigating the risks of villagers being disconnected during incidences of slope failures, he added.
