The recent freak accident that saw a car plunge into a 12-metre-deep hole at Jalan University has Petaling Jaya residents on tenterhooks as they worry for their safety, as well as that of other road users and their children.

This is as the hole that ‘ate’ the car is part of ongoing sewerage upgrading works that saw many such openings dotting the Petaling Jaya landscape.

Indeed a survey along Jalan Othman in Petaling Jaya alone saw four such openings, which are believed to be just as deep as the one in Jalan Universiti which was involved in Tuesday’s freak accident.

Worse, it was observed that there were scarcely any personnel controlling traffic or looking after the sites, nor were there warning signboards.

Residents and road users met told Malaysiakini that they worry about their safety, especially at night.

Suhana Sabtu. 46 who has been driving on Petaling Jaya roads for the last 23 years as she makes her living as a trader, said that she worries about her safety and that of other road users, with the deep holes appearing all over the area as part of the ongoing sewerage upgrade works.

She said that the danger is more pronounced for those unfamiliar with the area, like those who live outside the city as well as children who frequently walk to and fro from their schools near the work sites.

“For us who are familiar with the roads we still worry, what more those new to the place, they do not know how the roads are and maybe are unaware about the hazards without warning signs or lights to indicate the road is under repair. But there are none at all, only those plastic cones.

“What we worry about the most are our children who walk to school, we are afraid that they might come near to and fall into the holes. Who will be responsible?” asked Suhana.

However, she understood that there is a need for the upgrading works to be done.

“Yes, it is unsafe, but they need to do their work,” she said.

Suhana hopes that authorities will look into the concerns or residents seriously over the matter of lax signage and security at the sites, before further untoward incidents happen.

“They must increase the level of security at the sites by putting up signs to warn road users of ongoing works.

“Put up a mannequin or a light that can be seen from afar. Not just plastic cones which cannot be seen from far, especially at night. So, when people can see, they will not run into (the holes),” she stressed, adding that she herself does not dare to approach the work sites, let alone the deep holes in them.

More so, Suhana said that such road construction not only can cause safety issues, but are not conducive for traders who may lose income over disruptions caused by the repair works.

“Here in Petaling Jaya, I don’t really know what they are doing, because there was no prior notification to us. All we know is that the area is suddenly dug up and just as suddenly filled in later.

“The affected roads become congested, so not many people come to the market. Our earnings go down because of the road works,” she said.

Two trapped in 12m hole

At 3pm on Tuesday a freak accident near the Jalan Universiti junction saw a car fall into one of the holes dug up for the sewerage upgrading works.

In the incident, two persons, one of whom is a senior citizen, were trapped in the 12-metre-deep hole before being rescued.

Fellow trader Mohd Yusoff Ahmad, 54 who sells his wares along Jalan Othman said that what took place occurred because the contractors responsible were not systematic in their conduct.

“How could an accident not happen, before they finish with one hole, they have dug up a new one, which increases the danger.

“They should finish what they are doing before digging a new hole,” he lamented.

He added that the narrow roads and faulty traffic lights also contributed to the accident.

“The roads here are very congested in the morning and are very narrow. Some of the lights are also out, which makes visibility poor, that can lead to accidents.

“Even for us who conduct our business here, using the road is a worry. We hope they expedite the works,” Mohd Yusoff said.

Meanwhile, for KM Loh, 45, the freak accident has really scared him, though he said that there is nothing to be done other than urging the authorities to finish the repairs as soon as possible.

“I am really scared, looking at the condition of the roads, I hope they finish their work as fast as they can.

“Just look there on the roads, how many holes are there?”

“We are scared but we cannot do anything as they need to replace the piping,” said Loh.

Poor lighting, signage

The same fear is shared by private sector worker Jasmin Iskander, 32.

“The road and MRT works around Petaling Jaya really endanger road users as the sites are managed by foreign workers who lack experience and professionalism.

“At night, many street lights do not function around the city centre because of the ongoing road works, and even the warning signage are not adequate. So those who drive around here should be careful,” she said.

In the same vein, private driver Ravi Arikrishnan, 47 urged authorities to act now to increase the safety and security levels on the worksites dotting Petaling Jaya roads.

“It is truly dangerous on the roads around here, we hope that authorities will solve the problems with the work sites as we have to use the roads every day,” he opined.

Forty-five year old road user Hasnah Mohamad felt the same.

“Authorities should finish construction on the roads as soon as possible. We worry about our safety. Please make it a priority,” urged Hasnah.