KINABATANGAN: With only days left before voters head to the polls in the Lamag and Kinabatangan by-elections, the sound of machinery and the sight of fresh patches of asphalt in Bukit Garam have become hard to miss.
Along the busy roundabout and surrounding roads, repair works are now under way — a development welcomed by residents who have long complained about potholes, uneven surfaces and safety risks, but one that has also prompted questions about timing.
As the most developed centre of Lamag, Bukit Garam lies along the main artery into Kinabatangan, where its well-known roundabout is a landmark almost every driver passes.
For years, damaged roads have been among the most persistent grievances raised by locals here, affecting daily commutes, access to schools and overall road safety. As polling day approaches, the sudden pace of repairs has drawn renewed attention to an issue residents say should never have been left unresolved for so long.
Housewife Nadhirah Ghani, who lives nearby, said she hoped the current repairs will be completed quickly and, more importantly, done properly.
“I hope the repairs can be sped up,” she said.
“We want our children and grandchildren to experience good roads in the future, not what we are dealing with now.”
Retiree Ghani Sadayar echoed similar sentiments, saying residents had seen road repairs come and go before, often without lasting results.
“We’ve heard promises before. Sometimes they fix it for a few days, then it’s back to the same problem,” he said.
“This time, we hope whoever wins will really fix it properly, not just temporarily.”
For some residents, the current works offer a sense of relief, even if cautious. Others view them as a reminder of how closely basic infrastructure issues are tied to election cycles.
As the by-elections enter the final stretch, Bukit Garam’s newly repaired roads stand as a visible symbol of long-standing concerns resurfacing at a critical political moment.
Whether the improvements mark the beginning of a lasting solution or simply a short-term response remains a question residents say will only be answered after polling day.
