Laughter is to life what shock absorbers are to automobiles. It won’t take the potholes out of the road, but it sure makes the ride smoother.
– Barbara Johnson, American literary critic
Anyone in Sarawak who complains about the roads in the state, had better think again! Take it from me, the urban road network in our state is definitely much better and much more comfortable than the roads in Malaya, especially in Petaling Jaya (PJ), where I am now temporarily residing.
PJ roads are full of potholes and improperly maintained manholes, and they have become the bane of motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians alike, turning our roads into obstacle courses and endangering lives.
The state of roads in PJ paints a grim picture of neglect and apathy. Potholes are everywhere, resembling craters on the lunar surface rather than safe passages for vehicles. To me, some of the roads resemble war-zones – where each pothole serves as a battle scar, an indication of relentless erosion of safety and comfort. Many areas have more and more potholes and I have to remember each and every one of them so that I don’t drive into them!
It’s not just about inconvenience; it’s about endangering lives with every jolt and bump. But are the authorities, especially the local councils, paying any attention? Most roads, especially those under the local authorities, have not been repaved for many years it seems.
The sorry state of affairs is not a recent development; it is a result of years of negligence and misplaced priorities by the politicians and authorities.
A fellow journalist from a leading tabloid paper who visits my area in Kelana Jaya, near the St Ignatius Church laments: “Bro, every time I visit you for thosai and teh tarik, it reminds me of driving on off-road path in Mogadishu where the road conditions are atrocious due to years of civil war.”
One of the reasons for potholes and poor road conditions is the endless digging by authorities and contractors digging trenches for road works and laying cables and pipes. These excavations are mostly not reinstated properly to prevent subsidence later. This is why stretches become dangerous, jolting vehicles and making the drive uncomfortable.
Who is to blame for this sorry state of affairs? The responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of local councils like Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) and those tasked with maintaining the roads. The endless cycle of digging and patching has left our roads in a perpetual state of disrepair – akin to a bandage on a gaping wound.
The efforts to address these issues are, at best, superficial. Patchwork solutions applied by contractors fail to withstand the test of time, leaving motorists to navigate through the same hazards just days after supposed repairs.
It’s a vicious cycle of incompetence and inefficiency, leaving residents to wonder if their safety is merely an afterthought.
Enough is enough.
It’s time for action, not empty promises or half-hearted attempts at appeasement.
In my column on March 14 2022, I wrote about the plight of my friend, who suffered severe injuries due to a neglected pothole; he almost lost his life after his motorcycle hit a pothole at the back of our condominium in Petaling Jaya.
He had a bad fall and suffered bruises on his face, chest and limbs. He had to seek medical attention for several months and had to resort to donations from relatives and friends to settle his hefty medical bills.
That incident of a neglected pothole should serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of inaction. It shouldn’t take a tragedy to spur our councils into action.
Residents are not without recourse. Legal experts affirm that individuals have the right to hold councils accountable for their failure to maintain roads and ensure the safety of road users. It’s a matter of basic accountability and justice, principles that should not be sacrificed because of bureaucratic incompetency.
Says a lawyer friend: “It’s the council’s job to maintain the roads in areas under its jurisdiction – whether rural or urban roads. And they have to monitor the works of the contractors and ensure they follow the SOP. And if the work quality is not up to the set standards, the council should issue a warning.
“Yes, we can sue them. We have to educate the public on their right to sue.”
Nevertheless, the issue goes beyond mere negligence; it concerns a larger problem of political accountability. Are our elected representatives truly serving the interests of their constituents, or are they content with paying lip service to pressing issues while neglecting their core responsibilities?
The lawyer, however, feels the authorities are adopting a nonchalant attitude when it concerns addressing issues affecting Opposition-held areas like PJ where several constituencies are under DAP.
But isn’t DAP part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government; why the discrimination? And what are the assemblymen and MPs doing? Why aren’t they pressing the councils? Or have they become very comfortable being part of the government and do not wish to rock the boat? Says a politician friend from Barisan Nasional: “Well, the (DAP) representatives feel that so long as they slam the table and make a lot of noise in the state assemblies or Parliament, they are doing their job. They are not too bothered about having to monitor the duties or responsibilities of the councils or about petty issues like road repairs and potholes. They are under the misconception that the people want them to slam the tables and make a lot of noise in Parliament.
“The people who elected them are to blame too for not pressuring their wakil rakyat. Anyway, I guess they just want their MPs to make a lot of noise.”
Ultimately, the power lies with the people. It’s important for voters to hold their representatives accountable and demand action on critical issues such as road maintenance and safety. It’s not enough to cast a ballot and hope for the best; active engagement and vigilance are necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and our concerns addressed.
In the battle against potholes and poorly maintained manholes, we cannot afford to remain silent spectators. It’s time to raise our voices, demand accountability and ensure that our roads are safe for all to travel on.
The time for action is now!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
