KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry is investigating the alleged removal of road barriers at a stretch in Terengganu that led to the death of a couple, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The Works Minister also urged those with information to come forward.
“If the barriers were moved, it definitely wasn’t the Public Works Department,” Nanta told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.
He said the department always complies with standard operating procedures, taking precautionary measures in case of a structural collapse or similar issues.
“We are already investigating and want to know who moved the barriers. If anyone knows, please inform us,” he added.
A soon-to-be-married couple died after their SUV plunged into a ravine at KM52 of the Kuala Jeneris-Sungai Gawi-Aring road on Dec 5.
The accident is believed to have happened after their vehicle, travelling from Hulu Terengganu towards Gua Musang, entered a closed road following a landslide.
Hulu Terengganu OCPD Supt Sharudin Abd Wahab had said that irresponsible parties moved the barriers and warning signs installed at the landslide site.
Asked about surveillance on slopes due to the rainy season, Nanta said that the areas were monitored at the disaster command centre.
According to the Works Ministry, 1,572 slopes have been identified as very high risk.
This is out of the 34,633 slopes identified along federal roads throughout Malaysia.
