DAP Bintulu chief urges JKR Sarawak to address safety at Medan Jaya flyover
by Yunus Yussop · Borneo Post OnlineBINTULU (March 19): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Bintulu chairman Chiew Chan Yew has called on the authorities to address traffic safety concerns arising from the ongoing Medan Jaya flyover construction.
In a statement, Chiew said a letter had been submitted to the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Datu Dr Cassidy Morris, outlining several issues faced by motorists and proposing immediate improvements.
He said four key requests were highlighted in the letter, urging the relevant authorities to review the current situation and take proactive measures to ensure safer daily travel.
Firstly, Chiew called for a comprehensive review and reassessment of the traffic routing plan during the construction period, emphasising that temporary traffic arrangements must be clearly organised and easy for motorists to follow.
Secondly, he urged the installation of adequate and highly visible traffic signage and warning indicators within the construction zone, along with proper road markings to guide motorists in identifying the correct direction of travel.
Thirdly, Chiew highlighted the need to improve night-time visibility along the affected stretch, noting that the existing solar-powered LED lighting provides limited and uneven illumination.
“As this is a major infrastructure construction zone, proper wired construction lighting should be installed instead of relying on cost-saving solar lighting, with sufficient coverage to ensure motorists can clearly see road conditions and directions at night,” he said.
Fourthly, he stressed the importance of strengthening supervision and safety management at the site, calling on contractors to strictly adhere to all relevant safety standards and uphold a high level of professionalism and responsibility.
Chiew noted that road users have frequently raised concerns over unclear routes and insufficient traffic guidance when passing through the construction area, which not only affects driving convenience but also increases potential safety risks.
“While infrastructure development is important, the safety of the people must always come first,” he said.
He added that while authorities often highlight project completion percentages, such figures carry little significance for daily road users.
“What truly matters to the people is whether the roads are safe, whether the routes are clear, and whether they can drive with confidence, especially at night,” he added.