Perak seeks Federal help to upgrade East-West Highway
IPOH: The Perak government will submit a proposal to the federal government to upgrade the East-West Highway (JRTB) linking Gerik and Jeli, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
He said the state government will also propose the development of a new alignment to replace the current route, which links Perak to the East Coast states.
'The matter (proposal to improve JRTB) was discussed during the state executive council meeting today.
'I have asked Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport Committee chairman) to prepare the proposal,' he said, adding that he would also propose the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his working visit to Lumut this Sunday.
He spoke to reporters today after officiating the closing ceremony of Perak Export Day 2025, hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, which was also attended by its chairman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, here.
Elaborating, Saarani said JRTB has been out of concession for the past 40 years, adding that it is high time to conduct a more thorough review of the route.
'Parts of the road have worn down to the base, exposing the soil. Patching is no longer an option. That's why we've asked Datuk Seri Nizar to outline what needs to be done in terms of alignment, road widening, construction materials, and all necessary elements, including street lighting and road markings,' he said.
Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government will also propose the upgrading of Gerik Hospital, as well as increasing the number of related facilities and medical specialists along the route.
'In the event of a major incident, Gerik Hospital is insufficient to handle a large number of casualties. The federal government should also consider providing additional facilities such as mobile police stations or fire and rescue brigades along the JRTB route,' he said, adding that this is to ensure shorter response time.
On Monday, 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students were killed when a chartered bus travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after colliding with a multi-purpose vehicle on the highway.
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The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
East-West Highway upgrade on the table, says Perak MB
Promising development: Saarani (centre) attending a Perak Export Day programme at a hotel in Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star IPOH: The East-West Highway that connects Perak's Gerik with Kelantan's Jeli is in need of massive upgrades to improve its condition and safety, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar said state infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has been tasked with preparing a working paper detailing things required to improve the road. 'It's high time we look into the highway's alignment and condition,' he said in a press conference after opening Perak Export Day here yesterday. 'The highway was built during (Malaysia's second prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak Hussein's time to stop incursions by communists. 'Mohammad Nizar and the Public Works Department will need to review and list down the things needed to be done, be it to widen the road, the construction materials needed, lines on the road or street lights,' he said, adding that some stretches of the road could no longer be patched up. Fifteen Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students were killed after a bus crashed on the highway on Monday. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the site of the tragedy was already earmarked for rehabilitation this year with an allocation of RM55mil. Saarani said a new hospital is also needed in Gerik to provide treatment to victims due to the high frequency of accidents on the highway. 'Gerik needs a new hospital as well as experts, staff and facilities. A separate paper will be prepared by state health committee A. Sivanesan on this,' he said, adding that both papers will be forwarded to the federal government for consideration to be included in the next Malaysia Plan. 'I will also speak to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 15 about the proposals to improve the situation near the highway,' he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Perak to propose upgrades to JRTB, suggests development of new alignment
IPOH: The Perak government will submit a proposal to the federal government to upgrade the East-West Highway (JRTB) linking Gerik and Jeli, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. He said the state government will also propose the development of a new alignment to replace the current route, which links Perak to the East Coast states. 'The matter (proposal to improve JRTB) was discussed during the state executive council meeting today. 'I have asked Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport Committee chairman) to prepare the proposal,' he said, adding that he would also propose the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his working visit to Lumut this Sunday. He spoke to reporters today after officiating the closing ceremony of Perak Export Day 2025, hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, which was also attended by its chairman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, here. Elaborating, Saarani said JRTB has been out of concession for the past 40 years, adding that it is high time to conduct a more thorough review of the route. 'Parts of the road have worn down to the base, exposing the soil. Patching is no longer an option. That's why we've asked Datuk Seri Nizar to outline what needs to be done in terms of alignment, road widening, construction materials, and all necessary elements, including street lighting and road markings,' he said. Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government will also propose the upgrading of Gerik Hospital, as well as increasing the number of related facilities and medical specialists along the route. 'In the event of a major incident, Gerik Hospital is insufficient to handle a large number of casualties. The federal government should also consider providing additional facilities such as mobile police stations or fire and rescue brigades along the JRTB route,' he said, adding that this is to ensure shorter response time. On Monday, 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students were killed when a chartered bus travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after colliding with a multi-purpose vehicle on the highway.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Perak seeks Federal help to upgrade East-West Highway
IPOH: The Perak government will submit a proposal to the federal government to upgrade the East-West Highway (JRTB) linking Gerik and Jeli, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. He said the state government will also propose the development of a new alignment to replace the current route, which links Perak to the East Coast states. 'The matter (proposal to improve JRTB) was discussed during the state executive council meeting today. 'I have asked Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport Committee chairman) to prepare the proposal,' he said, adding that he would also propose the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his working visit to Lumut this Sunday. He spoke to reporters today after officiating the closing ceremony of Perak Export Day 2025, hosted by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, which was also attended by its chairman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, here. Elaborating, Saarani said JRTB has been out of concession for the past 40 years, adding that it is high time to conduct a more thorough review of the route. 'Parts of the road have worn down to the base, exposing the soil. Patching is no longer an option. That's why we've asked Datuk Seri Nizar to outline what needs to be done in terms of alignment, road widening, construction materials, and all necessary elements, including street lighting and road markings,' he said. Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government will also propose the upgrading of Gerik Hospital, as well as increasing the number of related facilities and medical specialists along the route. 'In the event of a major incident, Gerik Hospital is insufficient to handle a large number of casualties. The federal government should also consider providing additional facilities such as mobile police stations or fire and rescue brigades along the JRTB route,' he said, adding that this is to ensure shorter response time. On Monday, 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students were killed when a chartered bus travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after colliding with a multi-purpose vehicle on the highway.
