KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP should not use a recent fatal accident to score political points, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (pic).
The Sabah Deputy Chief Minister said Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe should be responsible with his statements and be sensitive to the current situation.
“I would like to advise Phoong not to take advantage of the unfortunate and fatal incident for political capital,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 9).
The Sabah Works Minister said this after Phoong raised questions about the safety at the site of the accident and said that he was disappointed with the uncompleted Lintas flyover U-turn project.
Phoong said on Sunday (Aug 7) that leftover work has yet to be completed, citing malfunctioning streetlights, an uneven road surface and the lack of road signs which could confuse road users.
A 44-year-old father and his two children were killed while a boy is in critical condition following the accident along the Lintas flyover last Friday (Aug 5).
Jimmykal Jaujali Assam along with his 11-year-old daughter Sazfa and 16-year-old son Alkail were killed on the spot while his four-year-old nephew was seriously injured in the 11.25pm accident.
Since the incident, Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Zaidi Abdullah said initial investigations found that the accident occurred due to the driver's carelessness.
Towards this end, Bung Moktar rubbished the claims made by Phoong after visiting the location and listening to a briefing by the authorities on Monday (Aug 8).
“Looking at the site and after the briefing by the related agencies to me, the location concerned is in good condition with new and level roads as well as having fully functioning streetlights,” said Bung
“All the authorities that were present including the ministry, Public Works Department (JKR) and the police agree with this view. As such, I am shocked with the reckless statement by Phoong,” he added.
He said the police were still investigating the incident, adding the government was also sensitive to the present needs of road users.
Bung Moktar then added that roads could be designed and equipped to be safer but these could still not fully guarantee the safety of motorists especially those who were irresponsible and flout the rules, particularly those who speed during heavy rain.
He had said on Monday (Aug 8) that he has instructed the Sabah JKR to put up speed limit signs at all flyovers in the state following the accident.
