Piston.my

RM350 Million Allocated for Federal Road Maintenance in Peninsular Malaysia

The government has announced a substantial allocation of RM350 million for the maintenance of federal roads across Peninsular Malaysia this year, with the intention of boosting infrastructure reliability and ensuring timely upkeep of the nation’s road network.

According to Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, the funds will be distributed between two key areas: RM275 million has been set aside for periodic pavement maintenance, while RM75 million will cover non-pavement-related works. A total of 563 maintenance projects are scheduled under this programme.

The selection of contractors for these maintenance tasks is being conducted through a draw system, targeting those classified within the G1 to G4 contractor grades. Ahmad explained that this approach is designed to promote transparency and provide equal opportunities to smaller-scale contractors, many of whom often face challenges in accessing government projects.

According to Bernama, he clarified that the draw mechanism is part of the Programme to Accelerate Road Maintenance by Utilising Contractors Grade G1 to G4, with the current phase covering the Central and Eastern Zones. Similar draws are taking place in other regions, including the Southern Zone from today until tomorrow, and the Northern Zone from 5 to 6 June.

Ahmad emphasised that last year’s selected contractors are excluded from this year’s selection process to widen participation and prevent monopolisation. To ensure fairness and accountability, the entire process is being made viewable online, allowing all involved to monitor results transparently.

All shortlisted contractors have undergone vetting procedures by the relevant authorities, with Ahmad expressing full confidence in their capabilities. He stated that only qualified firms were included in the draw and asserted that the likelihood of non-performance would be minimal. Any issues of underperformance, he added, would likely be isolated cases rather than systemic problems.

The government’s move reflects an ongoing commitment to maintaining essential infrastructure while empowering smaller contractors through fair access to public projects. The initiative is expected to improve road safety and travel efficiency while supporting the local construction industry.

Fuelled by cigarettes, coffee, the smell of petrol and 90's rock music

Related Articles