Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has stressed that the Public Works Department (JKR) was not responsible for moving the road barriers at the site of a fatal SUV crash in Hulu Terengganu, where a vehicle plunged 60 metres into a ravine.
He said JKR consistently follows established governance procedures and standard operating procedures, especially at locations deemed high-risk.
“If the barriers were moved, it was not done by JKR. The department always complies with its SOPs. At any site with potential collapse or safety hazards, JKR will take precautionary measures,” he told reporters after the ministry’s monthly meeting.
Nanta said it was crucial to determine who removed the barriers, if proven true, and urged anyone with information to come forward.
He confirmed that JKR has begun an investigation, describing it as standard practice after such incidents.
“When an incident happens, we will conduct an on-site investigation based on JKR governance and SOPs. At this moment, we do not know who relocated the barriers,” he added.
The accident occurred on Friday when a couple scheduled to marry on December 25 died after their Toyota Fortuner skidded and plunged into a 200-foot ravine at Kilometre 52 of Jalan Kuala Jeneris–Sungai Gawi–Aring (Bukit Kawah) in Kuala Berang.
Hulu Terengganu district police chief Supt Sharudin Abdul Wahab identified the victims as Hassan Shazali, 52, a teacher from SK Lebir, and Suzaimah Che Azis, 34, a canteen worker at the same school. Police were alerted by a member of the public around 5.30pm.
