Recently, Malaysian politician YB Khairy Jamaluddin suffered minor injuries after a run-in with a pothole while cycling at the Kampung Seri Chendering area in Banting.

Photo via New Straits Times

Just less than a week after, a far worse tragedy occurred when a 75-year-old motorcyclist was killed after crashing into a giant pothole in KL.

According to the New Straits Times, the victim, known as Ho Yan Fee, was riding his motorcycle from Taman Connaught to Mid Valley.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkefly Yahya said the incident happened at around 7:30 am on Sunday (3 December).

Ho was coming from the direction of Pandan Perdana and plying through the middle lane of a three-lane stretch when he crashed into the pothole.

Akibat terlanggar jalan berlubang(rosak).

Seorang lelaki warga emas usia 75 maut selepas terbabas sendiri sebelum terseret beberapa meter.

Kejadian berlaku di laluan tengah menghala ke Midvalley, KL sekitar 7.30 pagi ini-Ketua JSPT Kuala Lumpur pic.twitter.com/zcD10QYw5g

— Mohd Redzuan Abdul Manap (@redzuanNewsMPB) January 3, 2021

The impact caused Ho to be thrown off his motorcycle and he landed about 30 metres away, “Initial investigation revealed that the crash did not involve other vehicles. Checks at the scene showed that the accident was caused by the pothole in the centre lane.”

His body was taken to the UKM Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital for postmortem.

Malaysian road users are also taking it to Twitter to urge the relevant authorities to look into the matter.

Ini JKR ke Majlis ke.. Xnak minta maaf macam dekat KJ ka? Jalan berlubang2 makan nyawa dah banyak sangat.. Paling kelakar kalau buat report.. Korang gelak buat lawak kenapa x elak.. Aihh 🤦🏿

— 21syahin (@21syahin) January 3, 2021

This shouldn’t have happened. If this road is repaired or maintained, a life wouldn’t have been lost. You have blood on your hands, jkr. No other way to say it.

— bbbgnss 🐨 (@bibobagginses) January 3, 2021

For those that drive at Midvalley frequently will know there is another big hole at the Setia Sky site exiting to federal highway heading towards Cheras or PJ direction. Some patrons had placed cones and dividers to cover the hole now. So be careful.

— CK (@CK_theWasteguy) January 3, 2021

Still waitin for public apology and compensation

— 🇲🇾🌺 عائشة‎ (@aisha_hairul) January 3, 2021

Tiada pantauan kepada jalan merbahaya macam ni?

— Stanley Bentara J-KOM (@StanleyFate) January 3, 2021

Hopefully, the authorities will look into this issue to avoid any more accidents and deaths in the future. 

By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat