Potholes near construction sites cause costly damage to vehicles

Lawmakers want the authorities to step up efforts to mend and minimise potholes near construction sites and in residential areas. Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said City Hall’s branch offices must shoulder the responsibility of maintaining the roads.

"There are branch offices in all parliamentary constituencies. We can see the officers are quite active in issuing compounds but are lagging in monitoring the roads," she said. Kok said that must change, especially during times of wet weather.

"The rainy season has already started and there are bound to be potholes cropping up here and there.

"The authorities have to ensure that the roads are safe for motorists, especially motorcyclists," she said. Kok said developers should also maintain the roads surrounding their projects.

"Lorries are constantly plying the roads to the development sites and sometimes, they cause potholes.

"The developers shouldn't wait until their projects are completed to tar the roads. The developers should ensure that the roads are free of potholes at all times," she said.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng recently urged City Hall to take stern action against sub-contractors whose shoddy work resulted in potholes.

"The sub-contractors must ensure that the roads don't sink in after they have dug up the roads to lay the cables," he said. Lim also said utility companies should see to it that their sub contractors did a proper job.

"The sub contractors do a poor job of patching up the roads after they are done. After a day or two, the roads start to sink in. The authorities have to ensure that they do a good job and fine them if they don’t," he said.

Batu MP Chua Tian Chang said City Hall should look beyond merely filling the potholes.

"It is pointless for the council to keep on fixing the potholes, which is costing the council millions of ringgit. They should instead look for better technology to prevent potholes from occurring.

"It might cost more, but in the long run, it will save taxpayers’ money," he said. – The Malaysian Insider