01/05/2026

FRIDAY | MAY 1, 2026

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Errant motorists clog roads near Penang hospital

Sabah street light maintenance funds raised to RM18m KOTA KINABALU: The allocation for maintenance and repair of street lights along federal roads in Sabah has been increased to RM17.9 million this year, up from RM8 million annually in 2024 and 2025. State Works and Utilities Assistant Minister Datuk Limus Jury said the increase reflected the government’s continued commitment to addressing faulty street lights in the state. “Maintenance and repair works are carried out in stages, with priority given to accident prone areas, poorly-lit stretches affecting road users’ visibility and areas identified through verified public complaints. “Street lights on federal roads are federal government assets and their maintenance is fully funded through federal allocations.” He was replying to Justin Wong Yung Bin (Warisan-Sri Tanjong) on allocations for street light maintenance during the State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday. In response to a supplementary question on funding for Tawau, Limus said allocations were not determined by district but based on the level of damage and current needs in each area. In a related development, he said street lights along the road from Berungis, Tuaran to Tamparuli Bridge were frequently found to be malfunctioning, partly due to repeated cable theft incidents that disrupted power supply to the lighting system. He said the government, through the Sabah Public Works Department, had taken immediate action including inspections, temporary repairs, replacement of damaged components and regular monitoring at affected locations. Long-term measures are also being considered, including enhanced cable protection systems and improvements to system design to reduce the risk of theft in future. – Bernama Motac urges calm over viral pre-Gawai issue PUTRAJAYA: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has urged all parties to view the viral issue surrounding a pre-Gawai programme in Bintulu, Sarawak from a positive perspective, as part of the local community’s traditional celebration in line with local customs. In a statement, the ministry said such cultural celebrations should not be politicised, stressing that sensationalising the matter would only harm the long-standing harmony built among communities. “Referring to the viral issue on social media regarding the recent pre-Gawai programme, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing attended the event upon invitation as a show of support and to celebrate with the local community ahead of the upcoming Gawai festival. “The ministry appreciates the efforts of the community in Bintulu in celebrating pre-Gawai, which reflects unity, cultural richness and the unique traditions of the local community.” It said the programme was organised entirely by the local community without any involvement, cooperation, allocation or official support from the ministry, with all aspects handled by the organisers. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural diversity and social harmony in Malaysia, in line with the principles of mutual respect among races and traditions. “The spirit of togetherness demonstrated in the pre-Gawai programme reflects the nation’s aspirations in fostering unity and bridging racial divides through cultural platforms. The ministry respects the ways in which communities celebrate their unique traditions.” The viral posts had raised concerns over Tiong’s presence at an event where alcoholic beverages were served, despite the display of the ministry’s logo. – Bernama

o Double-parking, rule breaches blamed for daily gridlock as limited bays and ongoing construction strain access

children’s block and a stem cell centre. Once completed, the projects are expected to add hundreds of beds and significantly increase parking capacity. Construction has further compounded the parking crunch, with part of the hospital compound closed off while many remaining bays are occupied by staff vehicles throughout the day. As a result, patients and visitors are often left with little choice but to double-park or leave vehicles on surrounding roads. Beyond the hospital area, the association also flagged misuse of public parking bays along Market Street, where individuals have used barrels, plastic chairs, flower pots and other objects to reserve spaces. CAP added that vehicles parked on pavements and at bus stops are worsening congestion and obstructing pedestrian access. The association warned that such practices pose safety risks to pedestrians and road users, beyond causing inconvenience. It called on the council and traffic police to step up enforcement and take firm, consistent action against offenders. “Immediate and decisive measures are needed to restore order, improve traffic flow and safeguard the rights and safety of all road users in Penang,” Mohideen said.

“The situation has reached a critical level, particularly along Jalan Residensi near Penang General Hospital, where vehicles are frequently parked on double yellow lines in clear breach of traffic laws.” He said congestion around the hospital had worsened as illegally parked vehicles reduced road space and slowed traffic flow. The issue persists despite enforcement measures taken earlier this year by Penang Island City Council. On March 5, mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said illegal parking along Jalan Residensi had reduced a four-lane stretch to just two usable lanes. He said the council would take a measured approach by not towing or clamping vehicles along a designated section before 5pm, unless double-parking was involved, but vehicles left after 5pm would be towed. Rajendran also stressed that congestion affects thousands of road users and even a single illegally parked vehicle can trigger serious bottlenecks. Penang General Hospital, the main tertiary referral centre for northern Malaysia, operates with more than 1,000 beds and is undergoing a major redevelopment expected to be completed by 2029. The RM758 million expansion includes a new specialist clinic and ward block, a women and

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN: Illegal parking and a worsening shortage of parking bays around Penang General Hospital continue to choke nearby roads daily despite enforcement efforts by local authorities. The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has raised fresh concerns over irresponsible parking practices across the island, warning that the situation is creating hazards, disrupting traffic and inconveniencing both motorists and pedestrians. Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said a recent survey found many drivers still flouting parking rules, leaving vehicles in prohibited areas without regard for regulations.

CAP wants council and traffic police to step up enforcement and take firm, consistent action against motorists for illegal parking. – T.C. KHOR/THESUN

Johor Regent hails state’s RM272b investment growth ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail has expressed pride in the state’s achievements, which recorded strong performance over the past four years, including attracting RM272 billion in investments. opportunities for Bangsa Johor and Malaysians. “I have also been informed that state revenue continues to rise, reaching RM2.68 billion in 2025. This reflects strong economic fundamentals and the state government’s efficiency in managing resources and revenue effectively. He expressed hope the momentum would continue to strengthen so that Johor would not only progress but also emerge as a leading, competitive and respected model at national and regional levels.

“Since the beginning of my appointment as Regent of Johor, I have emphasised that my priorities are to strengthen the economy, safeguard the welfare of the people, improve the quality of education, enhance infrastructure and empower the healthcare system.” He said these priorities were set to ensure the people of Johor enjoy a better, more stable and secure quality of life. – Bernama

In his opening address at the fifth session of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar yesterday, His Royal Highness said Johor alone recorded RM110 billion in investments in 2025. The figure marks a historic high and the largest ever achieved by any state in Malaysia. Tunku Mahkota Ismail said the achievement had indirectly created more than 80,000 job

“This success is driven by strategic initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which serves as a key catalyst for investor confidence and overall economic growth.” Tunku Mahkota Ismail said the achievements showed Johor was on the right track to becoming a model state.