KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry has stressed that the removal of a road barrier at the incident site in Hulu Terengganu, was not carried out by the Public Works Department (JKR).
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi told the reporters today that the ministry operates in strict compliance with governance procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“Any claims involving the removal of safety barriers must be investigated to identify those responsible.
“In locations affected by erosion or similar risks, precautionary safety measures are consistently implemented,” he added.
Nanta reiterated that JKR did not remove the barrier and that investigations are already underway, in line with standard practice, which includes conducting site inspections following any incident.
“We are confident those responsible will be identified. For now, we do not know who removed the barrier, and we urge anyone with information to come forward.”
On Dec 6, media reported that a Toyota Fortuner travelling to Gua Musang, Kelantan, plunged into a ravine, killing both the driver and a passenger at the scene.
Police confirmed that warning signs and road barriers at the landslide site were believed to have been removed by irresponsible parties.
Preliminary investigations found that the SUV involved was not travelling at high speed when it entered the section of road that had been closed due to a landslide last year.
This was based on debris discovered along the slope of the ravine.
Police said the crash was likely caused by human negligence, particularly a lack of full attention while driving.
Inspections also found that the SUV’s dashcam was missing, with only its mounting base recovered. The camera is believed to have been dislodged during the incident.
The recovery of the vehicle took nearly four hours due to heavy rain, and the SUV was later brought to the Hulu Terengganu district police headquarters.
Monitoring will continue and legal action will be taken against anyone found to have removed or interfered with road safety signs or barriers.
