RM350mil designated for 563 federal road maintenance projects
BANGI: A RM350mil allocation was set aside for 563 federal road maintenance projects in the peninsula this year, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said.
Of this amount, he said RM275mil was for periodic pavement maintenance work and RM75mil for non-pavement maintenance work.
'The maintenance work is being offered to contractors from grade G1 to G4 through balloting,' he told reporters after the ballot draw under the programme to expedite road maintenance by grade G1 to G4 contractors for the Central and East zones.
He said the balloting process for the programme for the South Zone would be held in a few days while the balloting process for the North Zone would be on June 5-6.
This was to ensure equal opportunities to all contractors involved, he added.
'The balloting is done fairly and contractors can view the results online. Contractors chosen last year are not eligible this year,' he said, Bernama reported.
Ahmad said all the contractors involved in the balloting had also been vetted by the authorities to ensure that projects implemented later would run smoothly and be completed as scheduled.
'These contractors have been shortlisted as we consider them capable of doing the job.
'So, I feel there is no issue about contractors not being able to do the job ... even if there is, it may be isolated,' he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
New MMC developments to be announced at Hawana
KUALA LUMPUR: The latest on the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) will be announced during the summit of the coming National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil ( pic ). The Communications Minister said the MMC was set up with the clear mission of defending media freedom, ensuring fair and responsible reporting, and serving as a channel for the people to air grievances against the media in a civil manner. He said the other notable achievement was when the Dewan Rakyat passed the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 in February. 'After more than 50 years of discussion, our country has finally succeeded in establishing the Malaysian Media Council, a self-regulatory body that brings together all types of media, including print, broadcast and digital,' he said at the Hawana 2025-Bernama Strategic Partners' Appreciation Ceremony and Official Launch of Bernama-Motorhome at Wisma Bernama here yesterday. Fahmi said with the setting up of the MMC and other initiatives, the government was laying a strong foundation for the future of the Malaysian media. Themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', Hawana 2025 will be held at WTC KL from June 13 to 15 with the highlight of the celebration to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 14. More than 1,000 media practitioners, representatives of local journalist associations and media representatives from Asean member countries have been invited to bring together the professional media fraternity and industry experts while exchanging ideas and forging strategic relationships. Fahmi said the Bernama (Amendment) Act 2024 was gazetted on May 14 covering entities disseminating news via newspapers, publications, radio, TV and other mass communication platforms, including electronic and digital media. 'This amendment also aims to ensure Bernama's structure and functions are in line with developments in information and communications technology, as well as meeting the needs of the increasingly complex media industry,' he said. Meanwhile, May 29 has been gazetted as National Journalists' Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu newspaper that day back in 1939. At the event, Fahmi also launched the Bernama Motorhome-Mobile Studio, making it the first local media agency to utilise a recreational vehicle with mobile broadcast studio facilities that can be deployed to quickly disseminate news.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Assets worth RM143mil linked to highway sukuk misuse seized
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets linked to the misuse of sukuk funds of the construction of a highway in Klang Valley believed to be owned by a highway concessionaire with a Tan Sri title totalling RM143mil during an operation conducted last week. Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the seizures include 14 individual accounts totalling RM4.5mil, eight company accounts totalling RM33mil, luxury condominium and land worth RM24.5mil, nine cars worth RM7.65mil, and 13 cars that have yet to be handed over to the investigation team. Other items seized include luxury watches worth RM25mil, handbags worth RM3mil, jewellery and diamonds (RM6mil), four horses (RM400,000), alcoholic beverages (RM3mil), foreign assets worth more than RM15mil and around RM20mil in gambling activities. "Preliminary investigations revealed there was misconduct between 2016 and 2020 involving approved sukuk funds of about RM1.35bil, involving false claims of about RM360mil and RM416mil and RM50mil in other bank facility loans. "The RM1.67bil highway project also failed to be completed according to schedule and investigations are focused on bribes worth RM12bil paid to certain parties as inducement in helping the cash flow out and back to the suspect,' he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 3), adding that the proceeds were also believed to have been used in money laundering activities. He explained that to embezzle the funds, the parties involved were believed to have used professionals such as auditors, financial experts, engineers and shell companies. "Until now, the MACC has yet to take the Tan Sri's statement as he is in a private hospital ward and today the investigating officer will get confirmation from the doctor on the status of the Tan Sri's health before recording his statement. "Meanwhile, the number of witness statements stands at 45, and those witnesses who have given their statements have been asked to provide further statements,' he said, adding that the investigating team is also tracking down luxury vehicles and properties belonging to the Tan Sri abroad, including in London and Switzerland. The investigation is focused on the true amount of luxury liquor kept by the Tan Sri and the possibility that funds have been transferred to other accounts, he said. He added that an asset declaration notice has been handed to the Tan Sri and other related parties. - Bernama
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Esports — The future of opportunity
Esports today is a dynamic global movement that redefines how young people learn, connect, compete, and dream. — Bernama photo ESPORTS is the fastest-growing sport globally, with the industry evolving into a multi-billion-dollar global economy over the past few decades. Though many consider esports a recent phenomenon, its roots trace back to the 1970s through arcade game competitions. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the rise of broadband Internet, propelling esports from local arcades into the global spotlight. This shift enabled players to transition from casual gamers to international competitors. Esports' exponential growth has been fuelled by high-speed Internet, advancements in gaming hardware and software, and widespread accessibility – allowing players to compete and fans to watch from virtually anywhere in the world. Today, esports players compete in local and international tournaments, with prize pools in major events often surpassing those of traditional sports competitions. Esports has emerged as a powerful cultural force, engaging millions – not only as players, but also as creators, collaborators, and future leaders. Still, scepticism remains. Many question whether esports qualifies as a 'real' sport due to its lack of physical exertion. Like chess, esports may not align with traditional definitions that emphasise strength, speed, and endurance. However, competition is not solely about physicality. Strategy, mental endurance, and skill are also key – traits that define esports and chess alike. Despite their differences in format, esports and traditional sports share fundamental values: discipline, preparation, focus, teamwork, strategy, and mental resilience. Professional players often train for hours daily, supported by nutritionists, psychologists, and fitness coaches – leading lifestyles far more structured and intentional than many assume. Major international events like 'The International' and the 'League of Legends World Championship' draw massive crowds, both in stadiums and online. These are no longer niche gatherings; they are headline events in a digitally connected world. Yet, concerns persist, particularly from those who struggle to grasp the scope and impact of esports. For some, it still conjures outdated stereotypes of kids glued to screens. But like floppy disks and dial-up modems, those notions are obsolete. Esports today is a dynamic global movement that redefines how young people learn, connect, compete, and dream. It is more than playing games – it is a launchpad for opportunity. One of the most inclusive and accessible platforms, esports transcends borders and backgrounds. Young people from all walks of life, whether using mobile phones in rural areas or high-end rigs in city centres, can participate and excel. Rather than isolating youths, gaming connects them. During the pandemic, it became a social lifeline – keeping families close, providing joy, and fostering belonging when it was needed most. The esports ecosystem is expansive. Top-tier players compete in global titles like 'League of Legends', 'Mobile Legends: Bang Bang', and 'Rocket League'. Behind the scenes are the strategists, production crew members, marketers, and designers working collaboratively. It is where technical expertise meets creativity, and where passion finds purpose. In Sarawak, esports is gaining ground thanks to the efforts of the Sarawak Esports Association, led by Afiq Fadhli Narawi. Though new to the international stage, Sarawak has set its sights high – aiming to lead the esports scene in Southeast Asia. This ambitious vision was outlined by Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, at the Sarawak Esports Expo last December. The goal is achievable. Sarawak has already produced international champions, including Nadrah Saufi of Sibu, a member of the Malaysian Grills Gaming esports team that won gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. On the global stage, events like the Pan American Esports Championships, held alongside the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, showcased the scale and excitement of esports. Over 120 athletes from 25 countries competed in titles like Dota 2 and eFootball 2024, drawing 40,000 fans to the National Stadium Park and millions more online. An additional 30,000 visitors engaged with the surrounding GEFestival, highlighting the cultural and economic impact of such events. Even International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach made a special appearance – an acknowledgment of esports' growing significance. The Global Esports Federation's annual Global Esports Games furthers this momentum, uniting athletes from over 100 countries – not just to compete, but to share stories, cultures, and experiences. Esports is not only about competition. It is a platform for innovation, creativity, and well-being. At Unesco's 'Fit For Life Day' during the Pan American Esports Championships, over 400 students joined in celebrating wellness, inclusion and community – joined by Chilean volleyball stars Marco Alfonso Grimalt Krough and Esteban Grimalt Fuster. Their message: physical and digital lives can – and should – complement one another. Esports events are economic powerhouses, attracting tourism and global attention while influencing conversations around digital literacy, innovation, wellness, and education. They help shape what the 'future of youths' looks like. Esports will not replace traditional sports – it is expanding the field of play. It gives young people new ways to connect, grow, and thrive on their own terms. So let's move beyond the myths and outdated assumptions. The next time someone says esports is 'just kids playing games,' tell them it is 'the young people building future'. And that they are doing it, together – one game at a time.
