Several accident prone locations have been identified from data and records obtained, while the Department of Roads and the Ministry of Development (MoD) are formulating measures to prevent accidents.
This statement was in response to a question by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub at the 21st LegCo session yesterday on steps taken by the MoD to reduce the risk of accidents on the Muara-Tutong Highway, especially at the intersection leading to Binturan Camp, Tutong Distict to Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid.
The minister added that data revealed 36 accidents were recorded around the intersection leading to Binturan Camp and Jalan Bukit Panggal from mid-2020 to early 2025.
On average, over a period of five years, around seven to eight accidents occur each year at the location.
Some 22 cases involved damages to government property, while more than two-thirds accidents are self-accidents, with six reported minor injuries and one serious injury.
The ministry has also identified two main locations in the area that are high-risk, namely the right turn that connects to Jalan Binturan and the U-turn that connects to Jalan Bukit Panggal.
As an immediate step, the Department of Roads is taking several short-term initiatives to increase safety awareness in the area, including the installation of reflective safety signs at both intersections as a warning to drivers, especially at night while road signs and rumble strips be repainted more clearly.
In the long term, the department is in a concerted effort with the National Road Safety Council (MKKJR) in conducting traffic safety assessments to determine whether the design of the intersection needs to be improved, add alternative routes, or implement other more significant changes.
Meanwhile, in reply to Yang Berhormat Haji Daud bin Jihan’s question on the whole-of-government approach to ensure that relevant agencies function in harmony in road and drain maintenance issues, the minister said the issue of cleanliness in the Sultanate has been taken in concert with the active role of three ministries with the establishment of the Main Committee on Cleanliness Issues.
The main committee is co-chaired by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda.
Through the whole-of-government approach, the Main Committee on Hygiene Issues is responsible for setting the national hygiene policy, formulating national strategies, and monitoring the implementation of hygiene initiatives.
The committee also emphasises law enforcement action against environmental offences such as illegal dumping of waste and also emphasises the improvement and upgrading of the cleanliness of public facilities and amenities, including public toilets in commercial buildings and public premises as well as government and private buildings including institutions of higher learning and schools in the country, so that hygiene standards are adhered to.
Focus is also given to the cleanliness of public toilets, especially in government and commercial buildings with a public toilet monitoring and grading system introduced where the cleanliness level of each toilet assessed periodically.
Efforts are also being made to enact new regulations that are more specific to address issues of cleanliness and vandalism of public toilets such as a legislative proposal stipulating a minimum compound for acts of damaging or stealing toilet equipment where these latest initiatives are still in the process of implementation and are closely monitored by the main committee. – Lyna Mohamad
