(Kuala Lumpur, Saturday): There are many places in the Klang Valley facing similar traffic congestion. Can we make sure it will not be worse?

I visited MRR2 yesterday and this morning after the Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu announced yesterday that the remaining two lanes of the 1.7 km flyover would be open to the traffic.The flyover had 31 cracked beams, needing repair works at the end of 2004. It was closed for the second time in February, 2006, and then four lanes were reopened to light traffic.

This morning at 10, traffic at the six-lane MRR2 moved well. But, there was jam below the flyover, especially the traffic towards Selayang Baru and Batu Caves. Why? This could be due to some motorists might not know that all the six lanes of the flyover were open to vehicles, including heavy ones. Or, has the increase in the number of vehicles been so fast that the two extra lanes can only make a slight difference. The pace of development in Kepong, Selayang and Sungai Buloh is astounding. Hence, the increase in the number of vehicles is beyond imagination.

The national policy on the ownership of vehicles and the priority on the national car are important factors. Do we have alternatives?

Meanwhile, we shall continue to follow up the traffic situation in and around the MRR2 and the Klang Valley. While motorists have to pay more for the tolled roads, it may be getting worse.

Although the repair works on 31 cracked beams of MRR2 is completed, the Works Ministry must announce the actual cost of the project and the repair works. If the repair works is RM40 million, who pays? If the Government pays first, how is it getting it back? How safe is the reinforced MRR2? Will it require the same amount of maintenance as other flyovers? Will future government projects face the same problem? Will there be truly open tender? Will monitoring of projects be effective?