DAMAGE TO ROADS IN KAMPONG KEMBANGAN

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he is aware that several roads in the Kampong Kembangan Constituency have been damaged by lorries carrying heavy loads and whether action will be taken against the drivers or owners of such lorries.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am directed to answer the question. I am aware that several roads in the Kampong Kembangan Constituency have been damaged by heavy vehicles. This includes lorries carrying heavy loads. The Public Works Department has now stationed men at various points to collect evidence of vehicles which cause damage to roads with a view to prosecution in Court under section 22 (a) of the Local Government Integration Ordinance.

Inche Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Jalan Perwira at Kaki Bukit has been damaged on a number of occasions by lorries carrying sand? Will the Minister for National Development take action to prosecute the lorry owners?

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker, Sir, yes. Investigations carried out by the Public Works Department revealed that the roads were damaged by vehicles belonging to operators of sand quarries in the Kaki Bukit area. Action is now being taken against them under section 22 (a) of the Local Government Integration Ordinance. To prevent further damage to the roads, the Public Works Department has applied to the Urban and Rural Services Committee for release of funds to construct bollards at entrances to the roads. This is due for consideration by the U.R.S.C. at its meeting next month.