KUALA LUMPUR: Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu?s suggestion to ban high capacity motorcycles on highways was strongly opposed by motorcycling associations yesterday.

Superbikers' Club Malaysia president Lt-Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohamad Ngah said that by forcing motorcyclists off the highways and onto trunk roads, there was a possibility that even more accidents would occur.

"If they don't allow the use of superbikes on highways, even more motorcyclists will be involved in accidents. Highways are much safer.

PETALING JAYA: Bikers are revving up clouds of disapproval at Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu?s proposal to ban big bikes from expressways. 

Samy Vellu made the suggestion after seeing four high-powered motorcycles going at 170kph on two lanes of a stretch of the North-South Expressway on Sunday. 

KONGRES Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) berharap kerajaan dapat memastikan kadar tol di semua lebuh raya tidak akan dinaikkan pada tahun depan bagi mengelakkan beban kawangan kepada golongan perkerja di negara ini.

Presiden MTUC Syed Shahir Syed Mohamad berkata, sebarang kelulusan untuk kenaikan kadar tol lebuh raya akan menyebabkan berlakunya rantaian kenaikan barangan keperluan, perkhidmatan dan pengangkutan. 

WILL the upgrading work carried our on certain stretches of the North-South Expressway be completed before Hari raya?.

That's the main concern of BASRI from Kuala Lumpur.

"My friend and I traveled from Air Keroh to Johor Baru. The massive upgraded along the way is slowing the traffic to a crawl," he says.

"The upgrading work does not seem like it is going to be completed before Hari Raya."

BASRI says it is unacceptable that Plus is carrying out its road expansion work so  close to the festive season.

WORKS Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the highway toll rates would not be increased until a study by seven concessionaires was completed and presented to the Cabinet.

"We will not increase the toll rates by Jan 1 next year until we get Cabinet approval," he said yesterday.

He said all information on the toll was being compiled, and when completed, would be handed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for their advice and views before being presented before the Cabinet.

SUNGAI BULOH 2 Okt. - Kerajaan bersetuju untuk mengurangkan buat sementara had laju di jalan-jalan Persekutuan di seluruh negara daripada 90 kilometer sejam (km/j) kepada 80 km/j berkuat kuasa 6 Oktober ini.

Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu berkata, penguatkuasaan had laju itu yang akan berkuat kuasa sehingga 12 November depan bertujuan mengurangkan kadar kemalangan jalan raya pada musim perayaan.

Beliau berkata, Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) kini menjalankan kerja-kerja pemasangan papan tanda pemberitahuan had laju sementara itu.

SUNGAI BULOH: Kementerian Kerjaraya menubuhkan pasukan peronda khas bagi memantau keadaan jalan dan cerun serta membantu mengawasi keadaan trafik di laluan kritikal sepanjang perayaan Aidilfitri ini. 

Menterinya, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, berkata pasukan itu juga akan memantau aliran trafik di jalan Persekutuan dan negeri dengan dibantu jawatankuasa lalu lintas peringkat daerah yang dianggotai polis, Jawatankuasa Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR), Pejabat Daerah dan agensi lain. 

PARIT 1 Okt. - Kementerian Kerja Raya mungkin mengharamkan motosikal berkuasa tinggi daripada menggunakan Lebuh Raya Utara Selatan jika pemiliknya terus mengabaikan aspek keselamatan dan undang-undang jalan raya.

Menterinya, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu berkata, penunggang motosikal berkuasa tinggi sering menjadikan lebuh raya itu sebagai medan berlumba sehingga membahayakan orang lain.

Malah, beliau sendiri pernah mengalami saat-saat yang menakutkan apabila terserempak dengan golongan itu yang menunggang dengan terlalu laju.

IPOH: The 14 sinkholes which have appeared in several places in the state were partly caused by the recent earthquakes on the seabed off Sumatra. 

State Mineral and Geoscience Department director Mohd Noor Ayoob said the fact that the holes occurred immediately after the strong quakes pointed to this.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan sedang merumus formula konsesi tol baru yang akan memberi faedah dan manfaat yang sama rata kepada pengguna, syarikat konsesi, kerajaan serta institusi kewangan yang membiayai pembinaan sesuatu lebuh raya. 

Menteri Kerjaraya, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, berkata keputusan itu dibuat bagi mengatasi kekurangan dan kelemahan perjanjian konsesi sedia ada dengan mengambil kita pandangan semua pihak terbabit.