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Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
After deadly bus crash, Perak MB urges federal support for East-West Highway and Gerik Hospital upgrades in 13MP
IPOH, June 21 — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has expressed hope that the proposal to upgrade the East-West Highway (JRTB) linking Gerik and Jeli will be included in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Saarani said the state government had conveyed its intention to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Lumut last week. 'What's most important is to reassess the alignment and widening of the JRTB. The upgrade involves more than just resurfacing; it requires a full reconstruction, as the existing structure is so old that some of the damage has exposed the road base. 'This highway has been in use for over 40 years, and simply patching up damaged sections may no longer be sufficient. However, the state government fully understands that constructing a new alignment or rebuilding the JRTB would require substantial funding,' he said at a press conference after officiating the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Training Week at the Ipoh Convention Centre here today. Saarani said the state government has also instructed the State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport chairman, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, and Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration chairman A. Sivanesan, to prepare a report and study on upgrading the JRTB and Gerik Hospital. 'Mohammad Nizar will obtain information and data from the Works Ministry regarding the upgrade of the JRTB, while Sivanesan is working on applying to the Health Ministry for the upgrading of Gerik Hospital, as there is an urgent need in the event of accidents. Typically, victims are taken to Hospital Taiping or the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. 'If upgraded, it would be sufficient for patients or victims to be treated at Gerik Hospital, provided it is equipped with the necessary facilities and expertise. Once the study is completed, we will submit a letter to the relevant ministry,' he added. In the early hours of June 9, a tragic accident along the JRTB near Tasik Banding, Gerik, claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students when the chartered bus transporting them from Jertih, Terengganu, to the main campus in Tanjong Malim, Perak, was involved in a crash. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver and his assistant, as well as the driver and three passengers of a multi-purpose vehicle. — Bernama
Malay Mail
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
JRTB overhaul, enhanced facilities proposed by Perak after UPSI bus crash kills 15 students
IPOH, June 12 — The Perak government will submit a proposal to the federal government to upgrade the East-West Highway (JRTB) linking Gerik and Jeli, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. He said the state government will also propose the development of a new alignment to replace the current route, which links Perak to the East Coast states. 'The matter (proposal to improve JRTB) was discussed during the state executive council meeting yesterday. 'I have asked Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport Committee chairman) to prepare the proposal,' he said, adding that he would also propose the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his working visit to Lumut this Sunday. He spoke to reporters today after officiating the closing ceremony of Perak Export Day 2025, hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, which was also attended by its chairman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, here. Elaborating, Saarani said JRTB has been out of concession for the past 40 years, adding that it is high time to conduct a more thorough review of the route. 'Parts of the road have worn down to the base, exposing the soil. Patching is no longer an option. That's why we've asked Datuk Seri Nizar to outline what needs to be done in terms of alignment, road widening, construction materials, and all necessary elements, including street lighting and road markings,' he said. Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government will also propose the upgrading of Gerik Hospital, as well as increasing the number of related facilities and medical specialists along the route. 'In the event of a major incident, Gerik Hospital is insufficient to handle a large number of casualties. The federal government should also consider providing additional facilities such as mobile police stations or fire and rescue brigades along the JRTB route,' he said, adding that this is to ensure shorter response time. On Monday, 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students were killed when a chartered bus travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after colliding with a multi-purpose vehicle on the highway. — Bernama
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Tragic Gerik crash site among key highway sections slated for RM55m major road upgrades this year, says works minister
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — The site of the tragic accident, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, yesterday, has been identified as one of the key sections of the East-West Highway (JRTB) slated for upgrading, with RM55 million allocated for improvements this year. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that since 2023, various initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the Gerik-Jeli route, particularly along the FT04 federal road. He noted that in June 2023, an allocation of RM30 million was approved for the reconstruction of sections of the JRTB. Two months later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM30 million to further upgrade the route. 'This allocation has been utilised to upgrade and maintain several critical sections of FT04,' he said, in a Facebook post. He added that ongoing works include road resurfacing, and the repair of facilities, bridges, street lights, and traffic lights along both directions of the route. Nanta said that all upgrading works on FT04 were completed in phases between July and August 2023, with a total cost of RM55.73 million, based on road damage assessments conducted through the pavement condition assessment (PCA). He added that, in 2024, RM7.2 million had been allocated for various repair works at several other sections of the route. Nanta said that, while the police investigation into the tragic accident early Monday morning is still ongoing, he has received various reactions regarding the road conditions, which have gone viral on social media. 'As I have emphasised before, the ministry remains fully committed to ensuring that road infrastructure is safe and comfortable for all users. 'At the same time, I must stress that road safety is a shared responsibility, including that of road users themselves,' he said. Monday's tragic incident involved a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu, to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The bus overturned following a collision at KM53 of JRTB, near Tasik Banding, Gerik, claiming the lives of 15 students. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and three passengers of the Perodua Alza. — Bernama
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Not just drivers: Activist demands road overhaul after tragic Gerik crash
GERIK: The steep descent from Jeli to Gerik can cause vehicle speed to reach 80kmph without even pressing the accelerator. This grim reality was underscored by a tragic accident involving a tour bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on the East-West Highway yesterday. The incident, which claimed the lives of 15 students and left dozens injured, has renewed calls for urgent action to improve safety on this notoriously hazardous stretch of road. An activist from the East-West Highway (JRTB) group, Mohd Fadzil Abdul Aziz, said it is insufficient to place the blame solely on driver error or vehicle faults. He said that the condition of the road itself has long been neglected. "Many parts of the JRTB have suffered from poor maintenance, with winding sections that require smooth driving free from structural defects. "Unfortunately, the authorities often patched up damaged roads, leaving them unstable and dangerous, especially when combined with faded or missing road markings," he said. He said accidents on the stretch were all too common, particularly during rainy days. "The winding, uneven, and poorly-lit roads at night are key contributors to accidents here," he said. Mohd Fadzil also pointed out the lack of speed limit signs in many sections, which can cause drivers to underestimate the risks. He also cautioned that mechanical issues, particularly brake failures, are even more hazardous due to the steep gradient, which naturally increases vehicle speed. "It's not fair to blame only the drivers without considering other factors, including the condition of the road. "Furthermore, this area is part of a wildlife corridor, home to elephants and tigers," he said. He recalled an earlier accident on May 11 involving a baby elephant, which he said, highlighted the tragedies linked to this stretch of road that cannot be blamed solely on human negligence. He urged the relevant authorities to take immediate action to conduct comprehensive maintenance to make the JRTB safer for all road users. In the recent accident, the collision between a tour bus and a Perodua Alza on this stretch of road resulted in the deaths of 15 UPSI students. Another 33 victims were injured and rushed to Gerik Hospital, where 18 were discharged after treatment. The remaining 15 victims are still receiving care, with 10 at Taiping Hospital, two at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, and three at Baling Hospital.
Malay Mail
09-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Nanta: Works Ministry directs JKR to provide technical support in Gerik crash investigation
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The Public Works Department (JKR) has been instructed to work closely with the highway maintenance concessionaire to provide technical expertise and advisory support following a fatal accident involving a chartered bus and another vehicle on Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) Banun, Gerik, early today. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the move was aimed at facilitating a comprehensive investigation by the authorities. He also urged the public to give space for the investigation into the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), to proceed smoothly. 'My team at the Works Ministry and I will continue to monitor the progress of the investigation and will extend full cooperation to the relevant authorities to ensure justice and public safety,' he said in a Facebook post today. The bus, reportedly carrying UPSI students, was en route from Jertih, Terengganu, to UPSI in Tanjung Malim, Perak, when it collided with a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in the early hours of the morning. Expressing his sorrow, Nanta described the incident as a national tragedy. 'I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims. The loss of 15 young lives who would have been future educators of our nation is a devastating blow for Malaysia,' he said. He also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured and hoped their medical treatment would proceed smoothly. Nanta added that KKR has been closely monitoring the rescue operations, which involve multiple agencies including the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force, the police, and the Ministry of Health. 'I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all the frontline personnel who responded swiftly and with dedication since the early hours of the incident,' he said. — Bernama
