State targets to link all places by road by 2030 but would need RM24 billion to do that
Masing (right), accompanied by Zuraimi and Safri (left), looks at a book presented to him by JKR.
KUCHING: At least RM24 billion is needed in the next 15 years for all areas in the state to be connected by road.
In view of this, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said this would be a big challenge to the state, and urged the federal government to give the necessary funding.
“By 2030, we have a big challenge of connecting all places in the state by road and we will require at least RM24 billion…so I urge the federal government to give the necessary funding and necessary authority to ensure that the jobs are done and completed on time,” Masing said yesterday at a press conference at Public Works Department (JKR) headquarters in Wisma Saberkas here.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation (MIDF), said the amount required would be for R1, R2, R3 and R5 (JKR road standard specifications) road projects which he believed the state JKR has the capacity, manpower and skills to implement.
Earlier, he was briefed by the department on the projects that were implemented under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) and the projects planned under the current 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
He said he was very pleased to note that the state JKR had been doing very well with the projects assigned to it under the 10MP, having satisfactorily completed over 900 infrastructure projects worth about RM14 billion, and within the timeframe.
“With such achievement, it is advisable if some funds are directed to them (state JKR) by the authorities from the federal government so that implementation, better control and monitoring are made easier.
“MIDF and state JKR know what is best for the state and have a better understanding for suitable consultants and contractors to implement the projects,” the minister pointed out.
On the Pan Borneo Highway project, Masing said works are progressing well despite some problems at the initial stage like land acquisition.
He, however, pointed out that some of the problems had been sorted out.
“Work on the project (Pan Borneo Highway) is progressing well and the 11 work packages have been awarded,” Masing said.
Masing also told reporters that he was not in favour of terminating the services of contractors, unless they really flout the regulations.
Instead, he said, it was better to know the problems and try to assist them, adding that looking for new contractors would be quite costly.
Also attending the conference were MIDF permanent secretary Safri Zainuddin and state JKR director Zuraimi Sabki.