PETALING JAYA: Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has ordered immediate safety measures, including upgraded lighting and fence repairs, following a highway accident that injured a family whose vehicle struck a herd of wild elephants.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Aug 5), Nanta said he has requested proposals to enhance street lighting at high-risk locations.
"Based on the preliminary report received, the affected area is equipped with safety fencing designed to prevent wildlife from entering the expressway. However, an inspection found that a section of the fence had been damaged, believed to have been knocked down by a herd of elephants passing through," Nanta said.
He instructed East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2) concessionaires to repair the damaged fence immediately to standard specifications.
"A technical team has been deployed to the site to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate repair works, which will commence no later than tomorrow," he said, adding that night patrols in high-risk zones will also be increased.
Nanta directed the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to meet tomorrow with the LPT2 concessionaire and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) to outline long-term solutions.
"I view this matter seriously because it concerns not only the safety of road users but also the increasingly challenging issue of managing human-wildlife conflict," he added.
On Aug 4, a couple sustained injuries when their multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) collided with a herd of wild elephants at KM274.6 of the LPT2, past the Cheneh Toll Plaza.
