A file picture shows a pothole in Taman Sri Rampai. A disfigured motorcyclist is seeking compensation from authorities after he hit a pothole on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in Kepong resulting in his facial injuries. — Picture by Ahmad ZamzahuriKUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — A disfigured motorcyclist is seeking compensation from authorities after he hit a pothole on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in Kepong, resulting in his facial injuries.
Soong Yew Fatt, 26, who was returning home from work after midnight on December 2, lost five teeth, tore his upper-eyelid and was badly bruised from his fall upon hitting the potholes.
The incident also left him footing a medical bill of RM25,000 and counting.
“I have been driving here for the past 10 yearsm but it was the first time I rode a motorcycle there,” he said.
“I did not realise how terrible the road was until I hit the pothole.
“I was flung off, knocked out cold and paralysed from shock for a few minutes until a passer-by called an ambulance,” said the bank officer, who lives five minutes away from the site of the incident.
He said many residents suffered the same type of accident in the 1km stretch of pothole-ridden roads opposite the Desa Kepong Complex and Kepong Central station beneath the MRR2 bypass.
Earning less than RM36,000 annually, Soong brought his problem of footing the medical bill to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who then contacted Works Minister Datuk Fadhilah Yusof.
Lim yesterday slammed the authorities for not claiming responsibility for the hazardous road conditions despite reports of complaints over the past five years.
“The Works minister instructed the Road Transport Department (RTD) to look into the matter when I brought it to his attention last week, but they claim these roads are under the purview of City Hall,” he said.
“City Hall, on the other hand, confirmed it was not under its road inventory and when I checked with Selayang Municipal Council, it said the roads were under Selangor RTD instead.
“The authorities must do something about it before matters get worse. It is bad enough that doctors have told Soong that his scars — visible on his face, arms, shoulders and legs — will be permanent and this is a traumatising incident for him. It should not happen to anyone else.”
Lim said he would pursue Selangor RTD tomorrow.
