'What happened to JKR zero pothole promise made in 2016?'
Road safety activist Lando Zawawi has questioned the promise that the Public Works Department (JKR) made in 2016 to ensure that there will be no more potholes public roads in the country.
On Feb 17, 2016, 78 JKR district engineers signed a pledge to ensure that there will be no potholes on all federal and state roads under its jurisdiction and submitted it to then works minister Fadillah Yusof...
Road safety activist Lando Zawawi has questioned the promise that the Public Works Department (JKR) made in 2016 to ensure that there will be no more potholes public roads in the country.
On Feb 17, 2016, 78 JKR district engineers signed a pledge to ensure that there will be no potholes on all federal and state roads under its jurisdiction and submitted it to then works minister Fadillah Yusof.
Lando, whose real name is Azlan Sani Zawawi (above), recalled the pledge following the recent hue and cry raised after Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had a fall while cycling in Banting, Selangor due to a pothole.
“JKR already has Akujanji zero potholes (potholes). Prove that promise is true. We have paid the road tax. Please do the work entrusted to you.
"There are too many complaint channels and we have been patient for too long. What happened to all the promises?” he questioned when contacted by Malaysiakini.
Khairy's accident was followed by an apology from the Kuala Langat JKR and quick repair work was carried out.
However, the episode was greeted with anger and mockery by netizens, many of whom scorned JKR’s supposed inaction even when other potholes have caused fatal accidents and serious injuries.
Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman even apparently offered to tumble over damaged roads in a bid to expedite repairs.
JKR followed up by saying it would do its best to monitor the road conditions and take seriously the complaints of virtual residents, going on to list 11 channels by which the public could lodge complaints.
'JKR is only quick if issue goes viral'
Meanwhile, Lando said JKR will only act quickly if there is an accident that spreads on social media and gets the attention of many.
"This is the fastest (response) in the record because of the case of the minister falling off a bicycle. They are even ready to apologise.
"If it is not a well-known (case or personality) they will still be late," said Lando, who said he was representing groups called Ikatan Silaturahim Brotherhood Malaysia and Persatuan Mangsa Kemalangan Jalan Raya Malaysia (Mangsa Kejam).
Lando, who is also an actor, has been active as a road safety activist since 2008.
Through Ikatan Silaturahim Brotherhood Malaysia, Lando, together with the members of the association, voluntarily pave potholes.
Lando said JKR had never personally apologised to ordinary people who were victims of accidents due to potholes.
"JKR is never (sorry). They will never admit they made a mistake. Because if you confess, you can be sued,” he said.
According to Lando, even if there are responses to any complaints, the results are often of poor quality because JKR still does not have temporary pavement guidelines.
He said these guidelines are important to ensure the quality of repair work and good materials.
Lando also stressed that the issue of potholes would not exist if JKR implements efficient monitoring and carries out quality paving.
“Why can't we strengthen monitoring and have immediate action?
“It is not that JKR does not have a monitoring the unit, but what are they doing?" Lando asked.
