New road poses new risks

THE lack of signage and safeguards along the recently completed Jalan Meru Raya-Klebang has been a concern for about 1,300 residents at two housing areas in Meru Raya, Ipoh, Perak.The road, which was opened to the public in the middle of August, has seen a significant increase in traffic in the area.

Residents have remarked that road users are often speeding, endangering other motorists, including the residents.

Taman Meru Perdana 2 Laluan 16-25 Residents Association Razakhi Rayman said the road lacked signage to inform motorists to slow down near a residential area.

Razakhi said the most dangerous location was at the roundabout.

Residents say the Taman Meru Perdana roundabout that lacks signage and lane markings is hazardous as motorists fail to stop or slow down despite driving near a residential area.

“As there are no road signs, people tend to speed.

“Even at the roundabout where people should stop, some just drive on, endangering other motorists.

“The area at the roundabout that turns into our residential area is too narrow as well.

“We are worried about safety because there are often children riding on motorcycles or bicycles there,” he added.

Motorists tend to speed on the new route between Klebang and Meru Jelapang as there is a lack of signage to inform road users of the speed limit.

Razakhi said the authorities should instal speed bumps along the road.

“Before the road was built, only the residents drove around this area.

“Since the road was opened to the public, we believe the number of vehicles here has increased by almost threefold,” he said.

The construction of the road was announced by Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin in 2021.

Illegal motorcycle racing in the area usually takes place around 11pm.

Rumaizi had then said the project, which was said to cost about RM7.2mil, was meant to shorten the travel time between Meru Raya and Klebang.

The road construction works comprised several parts, including building a 50m bridge over Sungai Pari, about 1.3km of roads and installing streetlights.

Work started in April 2022 and completed in early August.

Razakhi says residents are worried about the safety of children.Razakhi said residents were glad that the road was built as it had cut short the journey from Meru Raya to Klebang.

“We appreciate the efforts by Ipoh City Council and several other developers to build this road.

“We supported the project when it was first announced as we knew it will benefit us.

“However, it just seems like the construction has not been fully completed.

“A month prior to the road being opened, we had questioned if it was actually completed because it was missing the necessary road signs.

“But as the weeks passed, we still didn’t see any work being done and the road was opened to motorists,” he added.

Razakhi said residents wanted their concerns to be heard.

“There have been some accidents already.

“Just a few weeks ago, one car that tried to avoid a motorcycle, overturned.

“It was fortunate that no one was killed.

“We do not want any fatal accidents to occur and we want measures to be taken to address our concerns,” he said.

Razakhi added that they would prepare a letter with two other residents associations in the area, – the Taman Meru Perdana 2 Residents Association and Taman Chepor Idaman Residents Association – to be delivered to the mayor.

“We will also send a copy of the letter to Perak Mentri Besar.

“We want something done.

Nazri says residents no longer feel safe especially during peak hours.“The Kuala Kuang police station should be focusing on handling crime without needing to deal with traffic issues,” he said.

Taman Meru Perdana 2 Residents Association chairman Mohd Nazri Mohd Ariff, 38, said he had already spoken about these problems to Manjoi assemblyman Hafez Sabri and the city councillors.

“We no longer feel safe, especially during peak hours when people go to work or take their children to school.

“I hope to see speed bumps installed at several locations along the road, especially near the intersections that turn into residential areas.

“The road heading towards Klebang could also do with some barriers by the side of the road as an additional safety feature.

“We also call on the city council to repaint the lines on the road as some of these have faded,” he added.

Taman Chepor Idaman Residents Association chairman Syukor Jalinu hopes the police will conduct more patrols along the new road to curb illegal racing activities.

“There’s a group of motorcyclists who race around the area on the stretch between the roundabout and road towards Klebang almost every night from 11pm onwards.

“I have seen that some even ride without wearing helmets.

“I think a speed bump is necessary to prevent these illegal activities,” he said.

Syukor wants police to conduct more patrols to curb illegal racing.During the Perak state assembly sitting on Monday, Hafez brought up the matter during the question-and-answer session and requested solutions from the state government.

In his reply, Perak public infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the speed limit there would be set at 60km/h.

“Road signs will also be erected so that road users will be aware of the speed limit and more alert when driving there,” he said.

Rumaizi said after checking on the problems highlighted by the residents, the city council would take the necessary steps within two weeks.

“We will paint lines on the road, put up road signs and readjust the geometry of the road near the roundabout to enhance safety.

“We will also be conducting further studies on the suggestions to build speed bumps.”

“Regarding the illegal motorcycle racing activities, we will work with the police to conduct operations from time to time,” he added.