i am out 45

Show us the right way, Mr Samy Dr Mathew Sebastian Sep 14, 05 3:07pm


Road signs in Malaysia has reached such disastrous levels that we wonder if there really exists any responsible department in charge of maintaining and supervising these signboards. There are numerous roads being built and constructed in this country. These roads costs billions and billions of Ringgit. Yet there don’t seem to exist one single sane person who is bothered or interested about signboards. In the last few years, the Klang Valley seem to be inundated with highways and flyovers. Quite frankly the region has seen a pathetic display of flyovers such that the whole region has been turned out to be an ugly concrete maze. When I say maze I mean it till the last letter. Who did the designing of these highways ? Was there any one really in charge? Was it meant to serve the citizens or was it meant merely for the sake of creating another road construction contract so that the businessmen involved could make a hearty sum of cash in return. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that the flyovers are an absolute maze. If a newcomer is driving on the road looking for a destination, it would be maddening. One can be driving on and on looking for a destination. Our signboards are an absolute disaster. It looks like these are being constructed and displayed by some less intelligent individuals with no sense of decency or respect for motorists. Here’s an example. If one is driving from SS4D Kelana Jaya to SS21/12 Damansara Utama using the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highway, we see some signboards stating Damansara Utama. However, where is the continuity ? After passing the last signboard stating Damansara Utama there are no more signs that actually direct you to Damansara Utama. Let us say we have finally reached Damansara Utama by some stroke of luck, then how do we reach SS21/12. There are absolutely no road signs that can lead to this destination. We can stop any number of road users to ask for directions but most are equally confused. Sometimes sign boards are erected right at the spot which divides two straight roads. By the time one reaches the spot it would be too late to take the correct road. What should be the correct and proper procedure of constructing and displaying sign boards? I would reckon it this way. Even if someone from a foreign country decides to drive around, he should be able to reach his respective address with ease and peace of mind. Instead of this, driving on our roads especially in the Kelang Valley is fraught of frustration, fear and anger as well as a waste of money, fuel and precious time. Our Works Minister must, right now, without wasting a single day, order for immediate rectification of the problem by concerned parties. Don’t declare roads open in the absence of proper signboards. I suggest that our minister take his car and go on a solo drive perhaps. Have an address in hand and see if he can reach his destination within a set time. The chances are he would be sick and disgusted of the people who set up the signboards. Every time I want to drive towards a particular destination, it would be utter frustration. The people in charge either are not interested in their jobs or they are merely making fools of motorists. Frankly, I am exasperated with the utter apathy that exists as far as signboards are concerned. This matter is absolutely urgent and needs immediate attention. Look at Singapore, for example. The utter chaos pervades the whole of Malaysia but is more pronounced in the Klang Valley. I call upon all news organisations to report on this until the problem is corrected.

How true the road signs on the road! I can't get myself acquinted with it. So I always take a longer cut to reach my destination. Even there are signs to lead, I always feel I am at a lost every time I travel back home. At one time in the KLIA airport I nearly turned right as I came out from the airport terminal instead of left. I did stop for awhile to look at it. If I didnt, I would go to Concord Inn. In fact it is quite dark on the road..So the Works Minister should walk the talk and see for himself...Dont waste time talking Samy!