Roads leading motorists to disaster

PETALING JAYA: Roads here may one day lead the public directly towards disaster.

That is the assessment of Kampung Tunku state assemblymen Lau Weng San, who bemoans the re-surfacing work done on Petaling Jaya roads by developers and utility companies, especially near the Rothman roundabout near Section 19.

Lau said he has received numerous complaints of shoddy work on Jalan Section 19/1 which has been re-surfaced numerous times due to utility companies constantly digging into the roads to install or repair pipes and cables.

"I just do not know why that particular road has been marked for constant road re-surfacing works. All that has put the road in a deplorable state," he said.

The assemblyman said roads stretching from Section 19/1 to 14/25 are now filled with small potholes and are uneven due to poor re-surfacing works.

"Whenever it rains, the holes turn into pools and pose a danger to motorists, especially motorcyclists," he said.

Lau said something needed to be done to curb the irregular and unplanned underground and road works in the area.

He said whenever bad road patches and shoddy re-surfacing works occur, residents point fingers at Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

"But we cannot just place the blame on MBPJ, because it's not entirely their fault. Utility companies and developers should also be responsible for maintaining road conditions," he said.

Lau said he has highlighted the matter to MBPJ, requesting stricter enforcement that ensures roads in Petaling Jaya are in good condition.

"I hope utility companies and developers will submit their rectification work plans to the council before doing any patch works. This is to ensure that MBPJ can monitor road conditions after works are completed," said Lau, adding that he will table the issue at the state assemblymen meeting.

Commenting on the matter, MBPJ public relations officer Zainun Zakaria said the council spends almost RM500,00 a year on road rectification works.

"We require a deposit for any road rectification works done by the utility company. The sum of the deposit varies from one road works to the other," she said.

Zainun said MBPJ will proceed with immediate remedial work on road surfaces, as sometimes, rectification works by utility companies or developers take almost a month to complete.