PLUS Expressways Bhd said that there was a temporary halt of all its works at the Causeway and Second Link in Tuas from May 5 to May 13.
A spokesman from the concessionaire was responding to a photo that went viral claiming major roadworks was ongoing on the Causeway and that it might be a deterrent for Malaysians working in Singapore to return on May 9 to cast their votes.
“That photo must have been taken earlier because by Friday the section of that road had been resurfaced,” he said. He said the Causeway sees a heavy amount of traffic daily and as such, it has to undergo repair and maintenance work often. “There was a structural repair work that needed us to dig 200mm to 300mm in order for us to rectify it,” the spokesman said.
He said the estimated one-month repair works will continue after May 13 unless something urgent cropped up.
Heavy machinery on the Causeway triggered a public uproar in the run-up to the May 9 general election. A PLUS spokesman has assured that the machinery would not block traffic.
“If there is an urgent repair that is needed, we would have no choice but to repair it on-the-spot despite the temporary freeze to ensure the safety of motorists,” he said. He added that the heavy machinery used for the roadworks was left near the Causeway but without it obstructing traffic.
“It is a very big machinery which is not easy to transport around. That is why we are keeping it there so that after May 13, work can begin and end faster. He urged all parties to not politicise the matter and spread fake news.
Meanwhile,Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad also gave his views on the matter. “Don’t start imagining all sorts of things and road construction should not be politicised,” he said.
On Friday and Saturday, a photograph went viral online saying it was a ploy to create jam on the Causeway and prevent them from coming back to vote on May 9.
It is estimated that around 300,000 Malaysians travel to Singapore daily for work.
