KOTA KINABALU: The site where a father and daughter were crushed to death by a shipping container on Sunday (Oct 18) was found to be unsuitable for heavy lifting and container transfer work.
Sabah Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Datuk Mohd Harris Ali said an ad hoc operation was carried out on Monday (Oct 19) to inspect road conditions at the site and surrounding areas following the fatal accident.
"We found that, due to the limited space, the area is not suitable for crane operations or the transfer of shipping containers," he said.
He said containers should be transferred at port areas or container depots approved by local authorities.
Mohd Harris said operators were also found to have placed containers on road shoulders and over drains, posing a risk to road users and damaging road infrastructure.
During the operation, action was taken against 65 vehicles, with 109 notices issued for various offences.
"Most involved parking offences and allowing vehicles to stop by the roadside in a dangerous manner, obstructing and inconveniencing road users," he said.
Under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, offenders can be fined between RM1,000 and RM5,000, jailed for between one and five years, or both.
Extending condolences to the victims' families, he said the accident should serve as a reminder that safety and compliance with regulations must be prioritised.
In the Sunday evening incident, a 53-year-old man had just picked up his 24-year-old daughter from work and was driving home when a shipping container fell on their vehicle, killing them instantly.
Meanwhile, Mohd Harris said enforcement statistics for Sepanggar showed an increase in notices issued, from 397 in 2025 to 486 as of October this year.
He added that there was an urgent need for suitable and safe areas for commercial vehicles to park and wait, as well as for the transfer of cargo and other heavy items.
"We will bring this matter to the attention of the relevant authorities and government departments," he said.
Mohd Harris said JPJ would also propose the installation of speed bumps, road repairs, improved lighting and the widening of road shoulders along the route to Sepanggar Port.
