LPT2 concessionaire told to review safety measures after elephant collision

Works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said an inspection along the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2) found that a safety fence had collapsed and was believed to have been damaged by elephants passing through the area.

"A technical team is already on site to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate repairs as soon as possible. I have been informed that repairs will begin no later than tomorrow," he said in a post on X today.

Nanta said the concessionaire had been instructed to increase the frequency of patrols in high-risk areas, particularly at night, to monitor wildlife movement and ensure the safety of highway users.

He also directed the Malaysian Highway Authority to discuss more effective long-term solutions with the LPT2 concessionaire and the wildlife and national parks department.

Nanta expressed his sympathies to the two people injured in the accident, and advised highway users to remain vigilant, observe speed limits and exercise extra caution, particularly when travelling through areas identified as wildlife crossing routes.

Yesterday, a man and his wife were injured after the multi-purpose vehicle they were travelling in collided with a herd of elephants that suddenly crossed the LPT2 at about 10.20pm.

The immediate measures announced by the minister centre on repairing the damaged fencing and stepping up night patrols, while a longer-term approach is worked out between the highway authority, the concessionaire and wildlife officials.