FOLLOWING an accident which took place in front of SJKC Kwang Hwa on Sept 4 involving a 7-year-old school girl, a press conference was held on Sept 7 to discuss the matter further.
Also present was the school board chairman Chuah Choon Bin.
The footage of a CCTV camera showed students and parents waiting for the traffic lights to turn green to cross the road.
When the traffic light turned green, the girl rushed to cross the road and was knocked down by a car which tried to beat the traffic light.
The incident happened in the evening at around 6.45pm.
Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Penang Police Chief Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan and Penang Works Department (JKR) director Shahabuddin Mohd Muhayidin said that they will work together to address the issue urgently.
“This is something very serious and we want to solve this as soon as possible.
“We prioritise the safety of children as well as the public and hence, we are here to tackle the problem,” said Yew.
A similar incident happened last year in November when the parent of a student studying at the same school was hit by a motorcyclist.
The school then requested the Penang Works Department (JKR) to install speed tables at the road (three lanes) in front of the school as a safety measure for the school children.
After having a site inspection, JKR Penang approved the school’s application and came up with the design.
The application (design and costing) was sent to the Federal JKR but the project did not take off as there were no allocations from the then federal government.
According to JKR Penang, it had asked the Federal JKR in January regarding the allocation for the project but it was again informed that funds were not available.
“We will take the liability and responsibility for the project and we will try to expedite the allocation from the federal level” said Shahabuddin.
Safety measures such as speed tables, amber light and also the signages are estimated to cost around RM50,000.
Thaiveegan highlighted the importance of parents setting a good example in following traffic rules.
“When the parents themselves commit traffic offenses, the children who are with them in the car are being taught to break the rules.
“The children when they grow up, they will own a car and eventually will emulate what they have been imparted with.
“It is crucial for parents to teach their children to follow traffic rules at all times.
“Myself and the Mayor have embarked on a programme to ensure that Penang is safe place not only in terms of crime but traffic as well.
“We need the support of the teachers, parents and the public to make this happen,” said Thaiveegan.
The CPO also said that the police have started their investigations concerning the Sept 4 incident.
Yew also added that when it comes to safety, it starts from oneself first and secondly, parents play a vital role in ensuring the safety of their children on the road.
“Only then comes the technical part which is the safety measures on the road as well as the design,” Yew added.
“Penang Chief Police Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan rightly pointed out that it is the duty of parents to teach their children on road safety rules.
“We want to make Penang a safer state and for that (to happen) we need everyone to play their part and work closely with us,” the mayor added.
Earlier, Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan visited the site and raised his concerns pertaining to the safety measures (speed table, amber lights and signages) at the said road which he had also highlighted last year when he was a MBPP councillor.
Story & pix by Tanushalini Moroter