IPOH – People have been asked to stop repairing or patching potholes on their own for fear of endangering other road users.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad said, the move could invite danger when it was not done according to specifications.
“This should not have happened because each road construction has its own specifications and if not adhered to, small damages could become big and dangerous,” he told reporters after presenting aid to students affected by the Covid-19 outbreak at the Perak Darul Ridzuan building here today.
He was commenting on several viral postings on social media showing the public trying to close potholes because they were worried about the safety of road users, especially motorcyclists.
Saarani said the Perak Public Works Department has successfully resolved 685 of the 705 road damage complaints during the year in all 12 districts throughout the state, with most of them related to maintenance.
In another development, Saarani said a total of 1,200 Perak students, especially from B40 families affected by Covid-19, are eligible to receive one-off cash aid of RM150 per person.
He said that as of December 18, online payments are being made until January to eligible students, be they from public or private institutions of higher learning.
“A total of 7,613 students have applied for this aid since it was launched in October. It is being conducted by the Perak Children’s Aspiration Centre in collaboration with the state Student Consultative Council and Peninsular Malay Students Association,” he said.
Saarani explained that for students to be eligible for the aid, they must come from families with household incomes below the poverty line and have their registrations suspended at their respective higher learning institutions, among other criteria.
“The state government hopes that these efforts will lessen the burden on students and cater to their additional needs, such as mobile data and academic necessities,” he said. – Bernama, December 29, 2020
