By: Aida Aziz
IPOH — Safety concerns involving students at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Kerajaan (SJKT Kerajaan) in Buntong remain unresolved despite repeated appeals since 2024.
Multiple accidents have occurred in front of the school as many motorists fail to slow down despite the area being a designated school zone.
SJKT Kerajaan Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president Jeyaseelan Raju said the association is deeply concerned about the safety of students not only at the school but also at two nearby schools, namely SMK Seri Puteri and SMK Sungai Pari.
He said the association is at a loss over the issue, having repeatedly applied to the relevant authorities to upgrade speed bumps, install transverse bars and set up flashing solar lights in the area since 2024.
“SJKT Kerajaan is located along the main road, Jalan Sungai Pari, which is heavily congested with light and heavy vehicles, including numerous garbage trucks from the Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI) depot in Buntong.
“It has been observed that vehicles are driven at high speed and do not slow down at the existing speed bumps, endangering the safety of our students as well as those from nearby schools, including parents and other road users.
“We submitted complaint letters and applications to the mayor’s office, MBI Traffic Division director and MBI councillors in December 2024.
“Unfortunately, to date no action has been taken, and no response has been received from any party to address the issue,” he told Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic.
He said the excuse of insufficient allocation or budget should not be given, as the matter involves public safety and lives.
“Several accidents have occurred in front of the school and nearby areas, and there are fears that something untoward may happen to students.
“The road falls under MBI’s maintenance, and the school has repeatedly approached MBI for the necessary attention.
“This appeal is in the interest of all, and we urge the authorities, including councillors and state assemblymen, to resolve the issue immediately,” he said.
He added that the existing speed bumps in the area, particularly near SJKT Kerajaan and the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, have become level with the road following previous resurfacing works.
Among the urgent measures requested are raising the height of speed bumps, installing thicker rubber transverse bars and adding more flashing solar lights to ensure motorists are alert to the school zone.
“There are only two solar signal flashing lights installed far from the school, and they are damaged and no longer functioning.
“Only thin yellow lines remain, which are ineffective in warning drivers to slow down,” he said.
