Maintenance and Safety Culture in the Country

NIOSH Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye today suggested to the new Najib Administration to put an end to the poor and unsatisfactory maintenance of public infrastructure facilities and public amenities and work towards the emergence of a new era which gives emphasis to a strong maintenance and safety culture in the country.

One of the many issues of public concern is how to develop a strong maintenance culture in Malaysia in the interest of public safety and convenience.

Malaysia is known as a country which prides itself in the provision of First World infrastructure but not in terms of its maintenance of these infrastructure.

Incidences of defects and breakdown in new government buildings and infrastructures are still fresh in our minds. Problems of such nature are embarrassing and far too serious to be ignored.

Poor maintenance of public buildings and infrastructures can lead to accidents and injuries. Public toilets which are not properly maintained can cause public inconveniences. Children’s playgrounds poorly maintained can also result in accidents and injuries. Roads and public drains not properly maintained can also cause flash floods.

Potholes which are left unattended to for weeks greatly inconvenience motorists. Failure to prune tree branches and leaves that obstruct road signages along our highways, federal, state and town roads also cause inconvenience to motorists.

These unpleasant occurrences are a reflection of a Malaysian malaise clearly manifested in inferior quality work, poor execution, inept management, poor maintenance and lack of ethics.

What is at stake is not only the question of ethics but also the issue of Safety and Health at work. The occurrence of collapsing structure in buildings is an issue affecting health and safety at work which must not be overlooked.

It is time for everyone to curb the Malaysian malaise of inferior quality work, poor execution, inept management and poor maintenance.

The comment that Malaysia is a case of a country “having First World infrastructure but Third World Mentality” is very true when it comes to the practice of maintenance.

Maintenance and service has never been the country’s forte. We are good at providing state-of-the-art buildings and equipment but when it comes to maintaining them and making them function properly we have many shortcomings and weaknesses.

All authorities and every Malaysian must imbibe the culture of strong maintenance and make it a way of life. Let us not have first world infrastructure but a third class mentality when it comes to maintenance.

I call on the new Najib Administration to put an end to the poor and unsatisfactory maintenance of public amenities in the country.

The time has come for the emergence of a new era which gives emphasis to the development of a strong maintenance and safety culture.

Improving a country’s image is not only the responsibility of the government but also the duty of each citizen who must be civic-minded.

Despite Malaysia’s success in economic development, we have not succeeded to develop a civic-minded society. Indiscriminate throwing of litter is still very common despite public campaigns on anti-littering.

Let it not be said that Malaysians work hard to pursue wealth and success but lose sight of their civic obligations.