KUCHING: A coding system will be implemented on all the roads in the state to avoid confusion on which authority has the jurisdiction over each of them.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the system would ensure that the public would know which road they were using and under which jurisdiction it fell under with regard to complaints made.
“Since all roads in Malaysia are classified as federal roads, the suggestion (by my ministry) is that the coding would use the letters ‘FT’. Those under state government starts with letter ‘Q’.
“However, the roads in Peninsular Malaysia interconnect the states whereas in Sarawak, they interconnect divisions,” he said prior to kicking off the ‘Media Night with Works Ministry 2015’ at Pullman Hotel here on Thursday.
Fadillah, who is Petra Jaya MP, added that roads under the jurisdiction of councils would also have their own proposed coding and the same would go for village roads governed under the district’s offices.
“Confusion arises because JKR (Public Works Department) has always been assisting local authorities on road repairs and as such, the people always think that our ministry is responsible,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of the media in channelling accurate information when it came to projects being undertaken by JKR.
“The media are our eyes and ears on this, in channelling any feedback to the ministry who in turn, would act accordingly towards improving its services and delivery to the public.”
The minister also hoped for lasting working relationship between the ministry, the people and the media, adding that everybody could visit the ministry’s website www.kkr.gov.my to post complaints, raise issues or forward suggestions.
Meanwhile Fadillah announced that his ministry would be hosting its own ‘Journalism Awards’ for Sarawak and Sabah beginning next year, of which the entries would be divided into three categories – Print Media, Electronic Media and Photography.
He pointed out that the news articles, broadcast programmes and photographs should be related on the constructions and building sectors.
“For each category, the grand cash prize will be RM5,000, with RM3,000 for first runner-up and RM2,000 for second runner-up,” he said, adding that entries would cover those undertaken and published/broadcast between July 1 this year and June 30 next year.
The media night was also attended by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, JKR Malaysia director-general Datuk Adanan Mohamed Hussai and Kuching Division Journalist Association chairman Jason Yong Kiat Seng.