Works Minister S Samy Vellu has been having sleepless nights since he made his mobile phone number known on television on Sunday.

According to the veteran politician, he has been inundated with SMS (Short Messaging Service) messages from the public.

Speaking at a press conference today, he was quoted by Bernama as saying that he received about 2,600 SMS messages over the past four days.

According to him, only about 200 SMS focused on the issue of cracked flyovers while the rest inluded thousands of congratulatory messages and minor complaints.

"I have trouble sleeping until 4am. This morning, I received 130 SMS," he told reporters while holding up his mobile phone.

Samy Vellu, who is also MIC president, has come under intense fire over the cracks which appeared on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) overpass in Kuala Lumpur.

Apart from this, there were similar problems elsewhere such as the elevated highway in Ampang and a tunnel in Jelapang, Perak.

Complaints bureau

Meanwhile, Samy Vellu also announced that his ministry will set up a 24-hour Public Complaints Bureau that will operate seven days a week to handle problems 'no matter how small'.

Apart from this, the ministry will also form a 9th Malaysia Plan Project Monitoring Committee chaired
by the minister himself to ensure the success of the projects.

"The ministry does not want to see the problems in the Eight Malaysia Plan or those before it recur," said Samy Vellu.

According to him, the committee will hold a meeting once a month to monitor the progress of the projects 'hands on'.

As for the Complaints Bureau, the minister said it is being set-up to provide a more effective avenue to study and manage complaints.

The public can channel their complaints via toll free lines (1-800-88-5004 or1-800-88-7752), email them to aduan@jkr.gov.my or via SMS by typing JKR and sending it to 37278 (DAPAT).

Samy Vellu pledged that all problems, no matter how small, will be acted upon immediately.

The minister has also identified three officers who will work around the clock to handle the complaints.