THE DEPUTY Chief Minister cum Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan’s recent statement that all illegal crossings along the railway track will be immediately closed is both brash and irresponsible, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Treasurer Dullie Hj Marie.
“Don’t penalize the kampong folks for the government’s faults. If the government made the initial mistake in allowing all these crossings, then why now punish the kampong folks for using these roads.
“Many are of the opinion that this project costing about RM360 million, was done hastily for the sake of doing it and without proper thought. It is impractical to have these tracks running through densely populated areas. Have they actually thought of the security aspect and impossibility of manning all crossings?" He questioned.
The Railway General Manager also made a remark that all illegal crossings will be sealed. Have they considered that is this the solution because of so many of these crossings that lead to various kampungs, workshops and so forth.
There are also private roads crossing the tracks to a number of individual houses all along from Tanjung Aru to Beaufort. It is most unfortunate most of them have been there for decades. How will the authority solve it before other incidents to happen.
Elevated railway tracks were believed to have been requested which could have stopped speeding vehicles in these crossings.
It is understood that the State government did request for ‘Elevated Railway’ but was rejected by the federal government due to budget constraints. In this respect the Federal Government has failed to understand on the real needs of Sabahans. Besides, the most irony part that this project was awarded to Kereta Api Tanah Melayu.
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