Latest news with #JagaPanBorneoBait-Bait
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Keeping Pan Borneo Highway clean is everyone's duty, says minister
BINTULU: Keeping the Pan Borneo Highway clean is a shared responsibility, not just for the government but all road users, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He emphasised that the highway, a multi-billion-ringgit national asset, plays a crucial role in Sarawak's development. 'It is disheartening to see rubbish strewn along the Pan Borneo Highway, particularly near P-Turns and pedestrian bridges. It is not only an eyesore but also tarnishes the image of Sarawakians and the state as a whole,' he said during the 'Cleanliness Awareness Campaign' launch at the PBH Bintulu-Miri P-Turn. Nanta stated that new laws on cleanliness were unnecessary as local authorities like the Bintulu Development Authority already have anti-littering regulations. He highlighted that public self-discipline is more effective than relying solely on enforcement officers to maintain cleanliness. 'We want the media to spread this message positively. You also have a responsibility to convince the public to play their part in keeping the highway clean. Civic awareness is the key,' he added. The government will provide additional rubbish bins at strategic locations along the highway for easier waste disposal. At the 'Jaga Pan Borneo Bait-Bait' event, attended by over 200 residents, Nanta also urged motorists to drive safely and follow traffic rules. He noted that over 500,000 road accidents occur annually in Malaysia, mostly due to negligence and traffic violations. - Bernama
Borneo Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Nanta urges collective responsibility for cleanliness along Pan Borneo Highway
Nanta (second left) and Majang (left) lend a hand with the local community in collecting rubbish at the P-Turn along the Pan Borneo Highway. BINTULU (Aug 18): Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi has called on the public, local authorities, and the media to work together to keep public places clean, stressing that cleanliness should not be the sole responsibility of the government or enforcement agencies. He said existing anti-littering laws are already in place under the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), and therefore, there is no need for new ordinances. 'We do not need to have new rules on cleanliness. The anti-littering law is already there. If enforcement is needed, we should refer to what is already available under BDA's ordinance. 'This is a public place and you cannot just say it is a federal road, so only the federal government should be responsible. It is our collective responsibility,' he told reporters when asked about the enforcement against littering along the Pan Borneo Highway. He said this after officiating the Pan Borneo Sarawak cleanliness campaign — 'Jaga Pan Borneo Bait-Bait' — at the P-Turn of Pan Borneo Highway (Bintulu-Miri) today. Nanta urged BDA to step up enforcement efforts and assist in maintaining the cleanliness of public areas. At the same time, he assured that his ministry would review whether such maintenance falls under its scope. 'On our part, we will ensure that if cleanliness is clearly under our scope, we will hold the responsible parties, including concessionaires, accountable. But it will be costly to deploy officers along every road, which is why we appeal to the public to have self-discipline and refrain from littering,' he added. Nanta cautioned that relying solely on enforcement would be too expensive and unsustainable for the country. Instead, he emphasised the importance of public awareness and advocacy. He also reminded the media to play a constructive role in promoting civic consciousness, rather than focusing only on shortcomings of agencies. 'We want advocacy with the public, and we hope the media will help disseminate information and highlight this problem positively. Don't just highlight weaknesses or complaints against the authorities. 'You too have a responsibility to help convince the people to play their role in keeping public spaces clean. Civic-mindedness is key,' Nanta stressed. He also reminded the public of the importance of the Pan Borneo Highway, describing it as a valuable national asset that has significantly improved daily life. 'We must realise how important this asset is. The Pan Borneo Highway has made life so much easier compared to before. This is our shared asset, so let us take good care of it and support the government in maintaining it, not for anyone else, but for ourselves,' he said. He added that the public should not need constant reminders to look after such facilities. 'If we can truly understand that this is for our own good, then we don't have to be told to take care of it,' he stressed. On the latest updates on the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sarawak, Nanta said it is nearing full completion, with only a few remaining stretches, especially in Bukit Song and Lambir yet to be completed. He revealed that for Bukit Song, the contractor has assured the government that works will be completed ahead of schedule. 'As of yesterday, the contractor gave us assurance that by Sept 30, they will be able to complete it, about one month ahead of schedule. This is something good,' Nanta said. He explained that progress at Lambir, near Miri, has been more challenging due to the delicate task of relocating major water pipelines. 'Construction itself is not the issue, the contractor know what to do. But we cannot risk interrupting water supply to Miri and its surrounding areas, because people are very sensitive about water for their daily needs. That is why this part takes more time,' he explained. Nanta stressed that while the overall length of the Pan Borneo Highway is now very close to 100 per cent completed, the project must be viewed in its entirety rather than in isolation. 'There are 16 sections, known as the red line, which were never part of the original Pan Borneo project. At that time, these sections were in good condition and the government wanted to spend money wisely, so they were omitted. 'But now, after so many years, with the Pan Borneo built to the best standard, the difference in quality between these 16 sections and the rest becomes clear,' he explained. He said attention is now being given to upgrading those stretches, particularly in Sibu, so that they meet the R5 standard of the Pan Borneo Highway. Meanwhile, three Rest and Service Areas (RSA) have been planned along the highway. 'One RSA at Jelukong, near Sri Aman, has already been completed, while two more are underway in other locations. These facilities are part of the project's scope, and we are fully aware of the need to provide proper rest areas for highway users,' Nanta said. Also joining him for the cleaning up activity were Infrastructure and Port Development Deputy Minister Dato Majang Renggi, Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang and JKR Sarawak deputy director (Infrastructure) Wisil Lichok. alexander nanta linggi cleanliness lead pan borneo highway
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Pan Borneo Highway: Paved for progress, marred by litter
Rubbish along the Pan Borneo Highway at Batu 19 Jalan Bintulu Area. – Photo courtesy of JKR Sarawak KUCHING (Aug 17): As the Pan Borneo Highway continues to connect communities and become the backbone for economic activities across Sarawak, its image is increasingly marred by a less flattering sight which is litter piling up along the roadsides. For motorists travelling towards Serian, Lundu or farther afield, the sight of discarded plastic bottles, food wrappers and other rubbish scattered on the verge is all too familiar. What was envisioned as a modern link boosting connectivity and economic growth is, on many stretches, shadowed by an old problem: littering. From busy interchanges to quieter shoulders, rubbish has found a way to accumulate, leaving road users and local communities frustrated. The problem is not isolated. Across the hundreds of kilometres of the Pan Borneo Highway, litter hotspots have emerged in predictable places like near lay-bys, p-turns and junctions. Beyond being an eyesore, the rubbish can block drainage, attract pests,undermine Sarawak's tourism appeal and emit unpleasant odours. In conjunction with the Works Ministry's upcoming month-long Pan Borneo cleanliness campaign, 'Jaga Pan Borneo Bait-Bait', this report takes a closer look at the roadside littering issue, the habits behind it, the people fed up with it and the agencies working to tackle it. Motorists speak out Allan Bungan, who occasionally drives between Kuching and Betong, says the litter problem spoils what should be a scenic drive. 'Most of the roadside areas are quite scenic, with greenery and stretches of open view,' said the corporate sector executive. 'But every now and then, the sight is spoiled by scattered rubbish such as plastic bottles, food wrappers, and even large discarded items, which takes away from the beauty of the highway.' Allan Bungan For Allan, seeing rubbish along the road is both disappointing and frustrating. 'It feels like people don't appreciate the effort and investment put into maintaining the Pan Borneo Highway, and it reflects poorly on us as a community,' he said, adding that outsiders, especially tourists, might think locals do not care about their environment. He believes littering often stems from the mindset that it is 'someone else's job' to clean up, or from ingrained habits. A lack of convenient disposal points could also be a factor. Allan's own solution is simple; he keeps a small rubbish bag in his car and empties it at the nearest bin. To improve the situation, he suggested installing more animal-proof and weather-resistant bins at rest stops and key points along the highway, with clear signage to make them easy to find but beyond infrastructure, he hopes drivers will take personal responsibility. 'I'd like to see more people keep their rubbish in the car until they can dispose of it properly,' said Allan. 'It's such a small change that makes a big difference.' He believed a mix of strong public awareness campaigns and consistent enforcement of fines, paired with education from a young age, could help build a lasting culture of cleanliness. Endawina Edward, who commutes to work along the Pan Borneo Highway from Tapah to Serian, finds the situation deeply disappointing. The government officer points out that in some areas, travellers can enjoy a variety of views from unique house designs to Chinese-owned plantations, but these are often marred by rubbish near junctions and P-turns where people slow down or stop. Endawina Edward 'Not everyone is careless, but perhaps 20 per cent of people simply don't grasp the harm,' she said. 'It often comes down to selfishness and not thinking about the safety of others. If people could think beyond themselves, they might avoid doing things that can endanger others.' Like Allan, she keeps a designated plastic bag in her vehicle and disposes of it properly only when she reaches a place with bins. She too believes more bins at rest stops would make life easier for long-distance drivers who may also want to take short breaks. Her hope is simple: 'Don't be selfish.' She also feels stronger enforcement is needed so that fewer people dare to litter. JKR steps up The Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, acting as the Works Ministry's strategic partner, oversees the operation, maintenance and supervision of works to ensure compliance with the Pan Borneo Highway's terms and conditions. As the highway is a federal road, the Works Ministry has appointed a maintenance contractor to carry out activities under JKR's supervision as the government representative. JKR Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris explained that litter collection was never part of any federal road contract in Malaysia, whether for construction or maintenance. 'However, we noticed that after the opening of the Pan Borneo Highway, more and more litter ended up on our road shoulder,' he said. This led to the creation of a new maintenance activity for litter collection under the Pan Borneo Highway Maintenance contract, with a twice weekly collection cycle for sections that have completed their defect liability period and been handed over for maintenance which is an improvement to the current Federal Road Maintenance contract. Regular inspections are conducted to verify that planned maintenance works, including litter collection, are carried out as scheduled and audits are also done near junctions and rest stops to assess the extent of littering. Dr Cassidy Morris The biggest challenge, Cassidy noted, is not the cleaning schedule but public behaviour. 'The biggest challenge is road users throwing out their rubbish while driving on the Pan Borneo Highway, including those treating the highway as a dumping ground for their domestic waste.' Bins and anti-litter signage at key spots along the highway are still under discussion with the Works Ministry, but JKR believes public education is equally critical. 'In essence, while we are dedicated to maintaining a clean Pan Borneo Highway for a pleasant driving experience, the journey to a litter-free environment on this crucial route hinges significantly on transforming public attitudes and fostering a collective sense of ownership and pride in Sarawak's natural beauty,' said Cassidy. With the month-long cleanliness campaign, Cassidy hoped that the campaign would be able to increase the awareness of Sarawakians and highway users of the need for a clean, quality, sustainable and safe Pan Borneo Highway now and for future generations. Members of the public who spot dirty stretches or illegal dumping can report the issue through several channels. These include the hotline numbers displayed on roadside signage (013-227 3666), the Works Ministry's MyJalan app, Sarawak's Talikhidmat app, JKR Sarawak's Road Care number at 011-7017 1777, or the department's social media pages such as Facebook at and TikTok at @jabatankerjarayasarawak. Reports can also be lodged directly with JKR's divisional offices: Kuching (082-203400), Samarahan (082-672800), Serian (082-876670), Sri Aman (083-322181), Betong (083-472101), Sarikei (084-654040), Sibu (084-314040), Bintulu (086-332077), and Miri (085-442244). For easy identification, callers are encouraged to provide the chainage shown on roadside markers or GPS coordinates. cleanliness litterbug pan borneo highway rubbish trash
