Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party Vice President David Ong urged the authorities to take urgent action to address worsening road conditions across Sabah, particularly in major urban centres.
He said Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau are facing increasingly damaged roads, with the problem no longer limited to rural areas.
Ong highlighted that deteriorating roads in towns and cities are causing daily inconvenience and posing serious safety risks to road users.
He blamed concession companies responsible for road maintenance, noting that many potholes are only temporarily patched before reappearing in worse condition.
Ong questioned whether regular inspections are being conducted or if repairs are carried out only after public complaints. He also raised concerns over faded or missing lane markings, which compromise safety, especially at night or during rain.
“When roads reach the end of their asphalt lifespan, proper resurfacing is required, as repeated patching only leads to failures and higher long-term costs,” he said, criticising short-term repairs as a waste of public funds.
He urged for accountability and better monitoring of road maintenance work and stressed that repairs should be scheduled during off-peak hours to reduce traffic congestion.
Ong also warned that substandard repair materials may save costs initially but fail quickly and do not solve the underlying problem.
“The party’s Infrastructure and Utility Bureau will document damaged roads in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau, before extending to other towns in Sabah,” he said.
The findings, including recurring potholes and roads needing resurfacing, will be submitted to relevant authorities to demand immediate action and stricter enforcement against underperforming concession companies.
He said road users deserve safe, durable, and properly maintained roads, calling for long-term solutions rather than repeated short-term fixes.
