PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia): Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is disappointed that problems have re-appeared on the Middle Ring Road II (MRR2) despite the RM70mil spent just two years ago to fix a similar problem.

"This could have been easily avoided if those responsible had ensured that earlier repair works had been done properly. If this had been done, there would be no damage and the rakyat would not be fuming," he told Prime Minister's Department staffers at a monthly gathering yesterday.

What was more worrying, the Prime Minister said, was if accidents or even deaths were to occur as a result of a road collapsed caused by the damage on the MMR2.

Three of 18 panels of carbon fibre reinforced plastic fell from Pillar 28 of the highway on Sunday morning, but the Works Ministry said the MRR2 is structurally safe despite a scare that saw a temporary closure of a ramp.

The six-lane elevated section of highway will be reduced to four lanes near the Kompleks Desa for the next three weeks as a safety precaution pending investigation.

Deputy director-general of Public Works I Datuk Mohamad Husin said a special task force had been formed to investigate and supervise repairs by the contractor.

He said there were no new cracks nor had old cracks reappeared since yesterday.

He said the flyover was safe for use as only 12 reinforced plastic panels were needed to keep the pier sturdy.

Abdullah also reminded civil servants about the importance of providing good administrative and management services, saying that since the people were directly affected by services provided, they would either be happy or 'terribly angry' with the way the Government was run.

"We can avoid the people's wrath by ensuring that we serve efficiently. We should not do things that will anger the people and make them feel that civil servants are corrupted.

"Good traits are needed to avoid accusations and it is easy to accuse anyone nowadays, especially on the Internet.

"I am not saying that that all those who blog and use the Internet are not good. There are responsible users but there are also those who say the most preposterous things. If we want to avoid this, we have to make sure we do things properly and efficiently," he said.