MPP open to MP’s idea on solving traffic woes

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TRAFFIC WOES: One of the reasons for constant jams at Jalan Liu Shan Bang is the selfish manner of drivers who park on both sides of the road, says MPP chief.

KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is prepared to hold a dialogue with Kota Sentosa elected representative Chong Chieng Jen to solve the traffic woes at Jalan Liu Shan Bang at Kota Sentosa.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the council had been doing its best to solve the traffic problem there and one of the measures taken was closing a median break.

“However, we are open to any ideas from Chong that he would like to share in order to make the situation even better.

“We in the council do things for a reason. We closed that median break at Jalan Liu Shan Bang because we found that there are double lanes turning to the market and double lanes turning to the opposite side, which caused congestion, especially when people double park their vehicles in a parallel direction.

“People chose to double park at the front of the shops even though there are more parking spaces at the back and a little further away. Because of some drivers’ selfish manner, they caused the jam along Jalan Liu Shan Bang.

“Also there have been many accidents at that section before,” he reminded in a press conference yesterday.

He was responding to Chong’s statement in Monday’s papers claiming that the closure of the median break had caused a uproar among road users.

Lo hoped that Chong would understand the reason why that section had always been jammed was because of people’s attitude and refusal to obey traffic rules.

“As a leader and elected representative, Chong should see that and work with the council to solve the problem. Not bringing the issue to the media and implying that we are not doing our job.

“Instead of only listening to complaints from hawkers and traders who claimed that their business are affected by the closure, he should look at things more objectively and constructively and then choose the best option for the people.

“Therefore, I will extend my invitation to him to come in and have a dialogue with us on how to best solve the traffic problems. We welcome his ideas and I hope he will not turn down the invitation,” he said.

On the drivers who continue to double-park illegally and causing jams, Lo said the council would engage the police to solve the problem.

“We will get police assistance to enforce the law on those who double park illegally,” he said.