Rain, heavy vehicles key causes behind poor roads
Keen eye: Ahmad Maslan (centre) looking at plans for the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Bachok campus. — Bernama
BACHOK: Rain and overloaded heavy vehicles were the two main causes behind damaged roads in the country, says the Works Ministry.
Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said RM4bil was required to repair damaged roads in the country, but the ministry has received just under RM2bil due to limitations faced by the government.
'My ministry always hopes that we will get more allocations each year to repair damaged roads as there are those that are 'old' and require re-tarring,' he told reporters after officiating the Bachok Umno division delegates' meeting yesterday, Bernama reported.
He revealed that the ministry had previously suggested that any collection made by the Road Transport Department, including road tax and speeding summonses, be handed to the ministry to use for road repairs but the suggestion never received any feedback.
On another matter, he said the construction of the Entrepreneurship Faculty Complex at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Bachok campus had fallen behind schedule and had been granted four extensions of time (EOT).
He said the fourth EOT would be the final one, adding that the ministry expected the project to be fully completed by October.
'I have informed the contractor and JKR (Public Works Department) that we don't favour EOTs as we prefer AOTs (Ahead of Time). The project is currently 68.9% complete, which means there's about 30% left to be done over the next three months.
'I hope they will implement two work shifts, day and night shifts, with each shift totalling 16 hours by two separate teams to complete on time,' he said.
He cited the construction of the Malaysian Armed Forces staff housing in Sabah, which was carried out in three shifts, stressing that the contractor of this project should implement a three-shift system if they have similar capabilities.
Ahmad said delays in the project would disadvantage three parties: the students for whom the complex is being built, the government and the contractors themselves.
'The contractor said the monthly cost is RM50,000. They've already fallen behind by several months, so imagine RM50,000 multiplied by those months; that's the financial loss the contractor has to bear,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Qabil Secures Podium Finish In ESBK Talent Aragon
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysian racer Qabil Irfan Azlan had a good race today when he secured a podium finish at Race 2 of the ESBK Talent in the 3rd Round of the Circuit Racing Spanish Championship (ESBK) at Aragon Circuit, Spain. The 13-year-old, who was second in the starting grid, completed the 11-round race only 0.018 seconds (s) behind Alessio Arnold from Team Fullmoto Squadra Corse, while Enzo Zaragoza of Aspar KBS Technical Academy finished third. The fourth round of the ESBK will take place at Navarra Circuit, also in Spain from July 17 to 20.
Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
JPJ: 64 pct of commercial of vehicle operators fail safety audit
Aedy Fadly speaks to reporters during the press conference after JPJ's Setia Khas Assembly today. – Bernama photo KOTA BHARU (June 29): The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has found that 64 per cent of commercial vehicle operators audited during the Special Operation on Safety Audit System Guidelines (Ops Khas JISA) failed to meet mandatory safety requirements. Its director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the nationwide operation, which began on June 23, involved audits on 133 companies operating commercial vehicles. Of these, 85 companies failed to comply with JISA guidelines, while only 48 passed. 'The non-compliant companies comprised 43 lorry operators and 42 tour and express bus operators,' he said after attending JPJ's Setia Khas Assembly here today. Among the key violations were the failure to appoint occupational safety and health officers, lack of GPS installation in all vehicles, and poor GPS monitoring practices. Many companies also failed to record drivers' working hours, which must not exceed eight hours a day, and did not ensure a minimum 30-minute break every four hours of driving. He added that some companies had no safety action plans in place and did not display hotline numbers or the names of responsible officers on their vehicles for public complaints. 'The department will submit the list of non-compliant companies to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) for further action, including possible suspension or cancellation of operating licences.' he said. Aedy Fadly stressed that JPJ will not compromise on safety and will continue to take firm enforcement action as part of efforts to enhance road safety and uphold the integrity of the national transport system. – Bernama Aedy Fadly Ramli audit road safety Road Transport Department
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
INV new material's RM3.2bil Penang plant boosts Malaysia's EV hub ambitions
KUALA LUMPUR: China's INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn Bhd has launched its RM3.2 billion manufacturing facility in Penang, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia's push to become Southeast Asia's leading electric vehicle (EV) hub. The plant, which produces lithium-ion battery separators, is the first commercial facility of its kind in the country, firmly positioning Malaysia as the region's largest producer of this critical EV component. The newly launched facility will produce 1.3 billion square metres of wet-processed and coated lithium-ion separators. The project has generated over 2,000 job opportunities, including over 500 high-skilled technical roles with wages exceeding RM3,000 per month. It serves as a launchpad for technology and knowledge transfer, equipping Malaysian talent with practical exposure to advanced equipment, structured training programmes and collaboration with global experts. This holistic approach significantly upskills the workforce in advanced materials and engineering plastics, cultivating a future-ready talent pipeline vital for the nation's long-term growth in the EV and high-tech sectors. The plant also sets a benchmark in Industry 4.0 adoption as it integrates advanced automation, smart manufacturing systems, and digital technologies to maximise operational efficiency, enhance precision and promote sustainable practices. Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the launch of the facility marks a transformative step in the country's electric vehicle journey. He said the investment, anchored in the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the Chemical Industry Roadmap 2030, bridges a critical gap in the local EV ecosystem and embeds advanced materials into the supply chain. "It sets a new standard for high-tech manufacturing while strategically catalysing broader industrial growth and attracting more global and local players to strengthen Malaysia's position in the global EV value chain," he added. INV New Material Technology chief executive officer Liu Rui said that beyond investment, the plant is a long-term commitment to sustainability, innovation and talent development. "Malaysia offers the strategic advantages, talent pool, and government support we need to make this vision a reality, and we are proud to call it home to our first facility in the Asean region," he said.
