Shahelmey with the participants, speakers and organising team of Putatan Smart Jawab SPM 2024 programme.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 23): Flagmen might be placed at scheduled times at the site of the recent fatal accident near Petagas, said State Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya.
Shahelmey said following the tragic incident, a technical meeting was held between the State Railway Department and State Works Department on Friday, which is he waiting for feedback on.
However, he reiterated that the project to build a pedestrian overpass in Petagas had been approved for the 2025 Sabah Budget, expected to provide more safety to pedestrians.
“So while waiting for the construction to start and complete, the community is advised to be careful when traversing between Taman Jumbo heading to SK Petagas.
“I had also proposed to the Railway Department director to place flagmen at certain times, according to train schedules as well as the times that students go and return from school.
“We will look at all aspects concerning train routes which involves a lot of people crossing,” he told reporters after the Putatan parliamentary level Smart Jawab SPM 2024 programme at Maktab Sabah Kota Kinabalu here on Saturday.
When asked whether his ministry will give stern warnings to the public not to cross the area concerned once the overpass is completed, he said his side will look into it.
He then called on the people to give their cooperation in this regard once the project is complete.
“We understand. Like the area in question in Petagas, it was closed and those who wanted to cross had to use a longer route, so some of them took the easier way to cross without following the rules, so this needs cooperation from the public,” he said.
On Tuesday, a 41-year-old woman was killed while her son was critically injured after a tragic accident involving a train traveling from Beaufort to Kota Kinabalu.
Lena Gabin and her 11-year-old son were said to have been attempting to cross the railway track when they were hit by the train at around 2pm.
The State Railway Department had stated that it will activate a Board of Enquiry to investigate the incident.
Shahelmey during a visit to the victims’ family had also said that the construction and enhancement of the pedestrian overpass near Petagas are expected to significantly improve safety for the local community once done.
Meanwhile, regarding Smart Jawab SPM 2024 programme, he said the annual programme for his parliamentary constituency involved the participation of 400 students from eight schools this year.
The minister said it is implemented every year to help students prepare for Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) examinations by teaching them methods to obtain optimal marks.
He said since the programme, which features teachers who grade such examination papers as speakers, was initiated, they have received an overall positive response and result.
