RM3 billion needed to repair federal roads in peninsula, says Fadillah

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 20 Jun 2022 4:58PM · 4 Comments

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof says his ministry is requesting RM3.4 billion to resurface, layer, or build new roads. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 20, 2022.

THE Works Ministry needs an allocation of RM3.4 billion to repair damaged federal roads throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof said this is for resurfacing or putting another layer or building new roads, with work expected to be completed by 2023. 

“We are aware that a lot of priorities have to be considered before the allocation is given, which in some cases is insufficient, like the RM68 million required to repair the federal road, FT004 (East-West Highway).

“We are not blaming the Finance Ministry but that is the challenge we are facing. However, we will find ways to improve the situation in the short and long terms. 

“My ministry has identified roads not just in Perak but throughout Peninsular Malaysia that need to be repaired after five or seven years as the original layer can no longer cope with the volume of traffic. Imagine the condition of the roads if these were built 40 years ago like in Gerik.”

He said this at a news conference today after a briefing on the FT004 in Gerik about 130km from Ipoh, with Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad also present. 

Fadillah said usually, among the preliminary or short-term measures taken by his ministry are to resurface the road before building another layer or a new road at the identified damaged stretches of the federal roads.

On his hour-long visit to the location with Saarani, he said the patching and resurfacing work at the damaged stretch of road would be done quickly on Saturday. 

The Perak stretch of the FT004 route is 114.66km from Section 83.74 at the Kedah border and ends at Section 198.40 in Jeli at the Kelantan border.

Along the stretch, the road surface and streetlights were found to be damaged, the painted road lines fading, and the drains also damaged, thus giving rise to stagnant water. – Bernama, June 20, 2022.

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Comments

  • If the roads were maintained regularly over the past 40 years, we wouldnt need to fork out one big sum now to repair all the roads would we?

    Posted 1 year ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • So they collected toll and rewarded themselves with huge bonuses and flying helicopters but did nothing for the upkeep of the roads?

    Posted 1 year ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply

  • This estimated cost included the mark up for local politicians from BN/UMNO or not?

    I am pretty sure if we use competitive bidding, the cost will be lower.

    Posted 1 year ago by DENGKI KE? · Reply

  • We would like the Minister to show us how he is going to spend OUR money.

    Posted 1 year ago by T E · Reply