KUANTAN: Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called on the Federal government to assist in ensuring safety on the Kuantan-Segamat route in Rompin.
The call comes in the wake of the tragic accident at Km126 of the route near Muadzam Shah yesterday, which killed four people including two teachers.
Comptroller of the Istana Pahang, Major General Datuk Mohamed Zahari Yahya, in a statement today, said Al-Sultan Abdullah has called upon the Federal government to lend a helping hand to Pahang to immediately monitor and take action to ensure the road safety aspects is always at a high level, and safe for motorists.
"Efforts to prevent road accidents has to be enhanced especially when traffic volume increases during the festive season, school holidays and public holidays. Therefore, the authorities should take swift action to prevent the incidents (accidents) from recurring.
"At the same time, road users have to be more alert and careful when behind the wheel. Drivers must be in good health and have had enough rest to avoid losing control(vehicle) or experiencing 'micro sleep'," read the statement.
Meanwhile, speaking on the accident in Rompin, the Sultan of Pahang, said Mohamed Zahari, emphasised that statistics from the police since 2020 showed the stretch in Muadzam Shah (Jalan Kuantan-Segamat) recorded a total of 65 accident cases with 79 deaths.
"Fatigue, sleepy (lack of sleep) and carelessness have been identified as among the reasons that led to the accidents.
"In view of the matter, his Majesty felt that if all these issues are addressed together (between the authorities and road users), it will not only provide comfort but ensure the safety of drivers and passengers will be safeguarded, and help reduce the risk of accidents on the respective road (Jalan Kuantan-Segamat)," he said.
Both the Sultan of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, had expressed their grief and sympathy to the families of those killed in the accident, and hoped their respective families will remain strong as they come to terms with their loss.