Improve SMK Merbau project implementation, S’wak Transport Minister tells MCC

MIRI (Nov 29): Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin is calling on the Miri City Council (MCC) to improve the implementation of the ongoing SMK Merbau project to construct a covered waiting area for students and safety infrastructures.

According to him, the project involved two zebra crossings and two covered waiting areas at both sides of the road.

“The number of waiting areas was increased due to the large number of students here, so parents could pick up their children from both sides of the road.

“Additionally, parents who are sending their children to school could just drop them off at the covered shed for them to safely cross the road using the zebra crossings,” he said after visiting the project site on Wednesday.

Lee added that the project was originally scheduled to be fully completed next month, but had to be delayed until early January 2025 to give way for the additional improvement works to the project.

“The problem is with the design; the anti-climb fence is too low and needs to be raised to at least double its height. If not, students could easily climb over it.

“The purpose of the fence is to make sure students safely cross the road using the zebra crossings, since the road here can be dangerous

“The safety feature of the covered waiting area should also be improved to prevent students from slipping and falling into the drain next to it,” he said.

Adding on, Lee said these initiatives would also help to reduce traffic congestion in the area, especially during the school’s peak hours.

He thus urged the council to expedite the project so the facilities could be fully utilised by the students as soon as possible, especially since the materials have to be ordered from Kuching.