FOR OVER-RIBBING - JKR DG MUST RESIGN

It used to be known as Public Works Department (PWD) now known as Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR). The latter seems to have different connotations with time or hijacked along the way to deal more of road matters. Raya is a misnomer, the accurate word for public is awam then we have Jabatan Kerja Awam. People might say what's in a name. 

In the years past, Government quarters and buildings were well maintained by PWD. Come JKR the quarters are in dilapidated conditions, unsafe and many demolished. Apparently there is mistake in the housing policy that deter staff to live in government quarters. They prefer to rent outside because of the housing allowance. To encourage staying in the quarters staff should also get housing some allowance probably about half. Thus, when the quarters are in use there  will be strong reasons to maintain and renovate if needs be.  

Is the JKR trying to show that they are doing work and make their presence felt? They are eager to put new technologies on the road without really studying the ramifications.  

Take for example ribbing the road crosswise with yellow or red bumps. The latter jar drivers to the backbones. It is outrageous and wasteful when there are ribbings for lengths before bends, traffic lights, schools, masjids, churches etc. Imagine the costs for the whole country. Are the traffic signs not enough? JKR cannot be ultraistic (accident avoidance) to the point of stupidity and underestimate drivers' common sense in the need for safe driving.

The ribbings will worne out and add more costs to replace. Of more importance is to keep the white centre divide and shoulder lines clear.  And limit the use of studs on the lines. In the US the dividing lines are painted yellow for opposing traffic to avoid confusion to drivers.

Is the JKR trying to show that they are doing work and make their presence widely felt. They are eager to put new technologies on the road without really studying the ramifications.

The road signs erected for sharp bends are one too many. It is again a wastage. The posts could be hazardous when a vehicle accidentally plough them.

For ease of maintenance, grass cutting along road shoulders should be mechanised using tractor mowers as far as possible. This means that foremost the shoulder should be made  level (and sloping outwards) to facilitate mowing. Pity the workers swinging the grass-cutting knapsack machines. It is tiring.

If we travel up Genting Highlands, we can notice the nicely made roadside drains. Compare this to Cameron Highlands or Fraser's Hill, broken drains and potholes. This is no rocket science for the JKR engineers. Sack them or sack yourself. 

Keep it simple but not regressing!