Jason Lee
PUTATAN (July 7): Signs, temporary traffic light and night-lighting, as well as traffic cones and barriers are among the safety measures that should be installed at the critical accident-prone sections of the construction sites along the Pan Borneo Highway.
In making this call, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Putatan Division chairman Jason Lee also highlighted the need for a comprehensive safety audit on these construction areas to prevent untoward incidents from occurring.
He stressed that such measures were necessary in view of the prolonged period of works on the Pan Borneo Highway, which had inconvenienced the road users.
“We have heard numerous complaints: motorists encountering potholes, experiencing ruptured tyres, and also serious accidents that resulted in losses of lives – due to the lack of safety measures at these accident-prone sections,” he said in a statement.
Lee said it was also crucial for law enforcement agencies, such as the traffic police, to conduct regular patrols and surveillance to ensure that the motorists would safely utilise the unfinished roads and not endanger other road users.
“There are claims of people speeding along the Pan Borneo Highway, using it for racing and engaging in other dangerous activities.
“We believe that inculcating good driving habits is crucial, even on unfinished roads.”
Similarly, he called upon the relevant government agencies, such as the Public Works Department (JKR), to ensure that the concessionaires entrusted with the constructing works on sections along the highway to always comply with the set standards.
Lee said not all those travelling along the Pan Borneo Highway were local residents and therefore, they might not be aware of the traffic changes at certain stretches.
“What was previously a one-way road may now be a two-way. Such confusion might cause accidents for motorists who seldom use that specific road.
“Unlike Sarawak, many sections of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah are still under construction,” he pointed out.
Adding on, Lee also called for the contractors to be held accountable for accidents resulting from their negligence, such as failing to install adequate signs and other safety measures; and to compensate motorists who suffered losses resulting from the accidents.
He also urged the government to release data on how many accidents had occurred along the Pan Borneo Highway and what the contributing factors were.
“Such data are not meant to point fingers; rather, they are meant to identify the areas that require rectification and improvements,” he added.
On top of this, Lee also called upon the authorities to keep the people updated on the construction progress so that they would understand the works.
“This will help avoid unnecessary finger-pointing at the government.”
Lee also proposed for placement of emergency response teams at parts of the Pan Borneo Highway route, which are located far from the nearest hospitals.
“We also propose that an emergency lane be placed so that rescue missions can be done swiftly and safely.”
Lee said he supported the call made by Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah for stronger enforcement along the Sabah’s sections of the Pan Borneo Highway so as to improve road safety and reduce accidents, which the latter presented during the Parliament sitting last month in debating the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Matbali had been quoted as also proposing for the installation of closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) at the stretches, as well as regular patrols and continuous road safety awareness programmes.
“Traffic volume is expected to increase significantly once the highway is fully completed, raising concerns over speeding and traffic offences,” said the MP.
“In anticipation of the rise in cross-border vehicle movement, I also urge for stricter inspections on the border entry points, including Sindumin in Sipitang and Merapok in Lawas (Sarawak),” added Matbali.