TEMERLOH: The Works Ministry will investigate how the endangered Malayan tiger strayed onto the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK) in Bentong before it was struck by a motorist yesterday.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said there might be a possibility the perimeter fencing installed at certain sections along the dual-carriageway was open, enabling the tiger to stray onto the expressway.
"The expressway has fencing running parallel to the stretch. We need to investigate what happened (to the fencing)...if the fence was left open, vandalised or if there were other projects nearby which provided a path for the animal to roam around.
"I was informed that the tiger is believed to have come from a forest in the east section of the expressway.
"The forest areas in the vicinity have been identified as animal habitats and their natural roaming areas," he told reporters after inspecting the new stretch on the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah bridge construction site here which will be open to road users on Aug 31 this year.
Yesterday, a male Malayan tiger weighing some 130kg was run over by a motorist at KM50.8 of the KLK at 1.20am.
The tiger, which was attempting to cross the highway, is believed to have come from the nearby Bukit Tinggi forest reserve.
(https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1051325/male-tiger-killed-aft...)
The KLK concessionaire, Anih Bhd, yesterday said while incidents involving wildlife being struck down by motorists were rare, it reminded road users to be vigilant and ensure safety when driving along areas surrounded by wildlife habitat.(https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1051501/highway-concessionair...).
Nanta said the ministry will discuss with Anih and the Wildlife and National Parks Department to identify and instal signboards on animal crossings at selected areas along the Expressway to ensure motorists will be extra cautious at those areas.
"Usually when designing and building highways across the country near forest areas, wildlife crossings including eco-viaducts and underpasses are included as part of the project.
"Maybe incidents involving wildlife killed in traffic accidents might not have occurred in the past (along KLK), so no wildlife crossings were built.
"Necessary measures will be taken to ensure wildlife roadkill incidents can be prevented and will not occur in the future.
"We will study and discuss suitable measures including installing suitable road signs," he said.
When asked about the possibility of installing LED street lighting between the Bentong toll plaza and Genting Sempah tunnel similar to the ones between Genting Sempah tunnel and Gombak toll plaza, Nanta said that works were underway.
"Works to widen the KLK will involve installing the LED street lights along a 26km stretch between Genting Sempah and the Central Spine Road junction in Bentong. "Once completed, the entire KLK stretch will be installed with street lights," he said.
