GEORGE TOWN: The state government should buck up and repair state roads on the island that are in deplorable condition, said state Gerakan.
It's youth secretary Teo Yin Horng said the state government should carry out immediate repair works of the roads to avoid becoming a laughing stock especially after the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had boasted about the state government roads being in a good condition.
"From our checks at a few places over the last few days we found 11 state government roads which are potholed and uneven," he said.
"These roads include Jalan Air Itam which Air Itam member of parliament Wong Hon Wai last week highlighted as a properly maintained road.
"Unfortunately Wong had only pointed out the part that was in good condition and failed to mention the part that was uneven and potholed.
"It looks like both Lim and Wong's capabilities are suspect as they cannot even identify and maintain a road properly.
Teo said besides Jalan Air Itam, other roads that were in a bad condition were Jalan Air Puteh, Jalan Sungai Pinang, Jalan Yeap Chor Ee, Jalan Permai, Lorong Argyll, Jalan Perusahaan Jelutong, Lengkok Bawah, Lengkok Dumbar, Cangkat Dumbar, Changkat Minden Jalan 1 and Jalan Hutton.
"We hope the state government can act swiftly and repair the roads and not wait to act until its too late," he said.
It was reported that Lim had claimed that the roads in the state that were in bad condition were under the purview of the federal government, while roads under the state government were in good condition.
He had also said that the few state government roads which were in bad condition was mostly due to projects by utility companies.
Lim had also said that the state government could not carry out repair works of the federal government roads as it was "the law".
Teo said the state government had been given a mandate by the people during the last general election, and as such they must protect the welfare and safety of the people instead f washing their hands off by blaming the federal government.
"They should also shoulder the responsibility for the road and carry out repair works for federal government roads just like the previous Gerakan state government did," he said.