PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has ordered immediate safety measures, including upgraded lighting and fence repairs, following an incident that left a family injured after their car struck a herd of wild elephants.
In a Facebook post, the Works Minister said he has requested that the authorities enhance street lighting at high-risk locations.
“Based on the preliminary report, 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,” he said, adding that night patrols in high-risk zones will also be increased.
Nanta also directed the Malaysian Highway Authority to meet with the LPT2 concessionaire and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (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 said.
During the 10:20 pm incident on Tuesday, Abdul Wahid Ismail, 55, and his wife Fauziah Muda, 52, injured their hands when their multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) collided with a herd of wild elephants.
Kemaman OCPD Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said the couple were travelling home to Kampung Pasir Gajah from Kuantan when the accident occurred along the LPT2 after the Cheneh toll plaza interchange.
“Initial investigations showed Abdul Wahid was driving a Toyota Estima MPV on the left lane when he came upon a herd of wild elephants on the road.
“Due to the short distance, he was unable to avoid them and collided with the herd,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
Terengganu Perhilitan director Dennis Ten Choon Yung said the department is using drones to monitor the location and movements of the herd.
He said the elephants are believed to have emerged from the Bukit Bandi Forest Reserve, about 8km from the accident site.
“Six Perhilitan staff have been deployed there to carry out monitoring and control operations.
“The operation is aimed at determining the herd’s location and movements while ensuring the safety of highway users,” he said.
