RM600mil a year to maintain Johor roads

Hasni (third from left) together with Barisan Nasional’s Pontian incumbent Datuk Ahmad Maslan (second from left) and Pulai Sebatang incumbent Datuk Tee Siew Kiong (second from right) during the launch of the RM23.2mil road upgrading works of Jalan Parit Ibrahim and Jalan Parit Jawa in Pontian.

PONTIAN: The state government spends more than RM600mil for road maintenance in the state annually.

Johor Public Works, Regional and Rural Development executive councillor Datuk Hasni Mohamed said that besides patching up potholes, the allocation was used to repair or replace signages and cut grass along road shoulders.

Hasni, who is contesting the Benut state seat in GE14, added that the expenditure was for all state and municipal roads.

He said the Public Works Department also has 11 teams, dubbed JKR Ronda, patrolling the districts to check on road issues.

“Everyday, each team is required to travel and check about 100km of roads.

“We are the first state to have such a team to ensure all our roads are in good order,” he said after attending the launch of road upgrading works along Jalan Parit Ibrahim and Jalan Parit Jawa that cost RM23.2mil.

He said the project, which was expected to be completed by 2020, would benefit many locals.

Other projects in the district, he said, included widening the Pekan Nenas road to Tanjung Piai from two lanes to four lanes at a cost of RM65mil and upgrading the bridge in Pontian Kecil.

“RM600mil will be used to build a bridge across Sungai Pulai between Kampung Boh and Port Tanjung Pelepas.

“We will also spend about RM2mil to upgrade the main junction in Benut town,” he added.

Asked about his campaign strategy, he said that he was using the 230 points from the Johor Barisan Nasional manifesto to reach out to his voters.

“I use the manifesto and target my approach. If it involves speaking to the youths, I tell them what the state is doing for them.

“If I’m addressing women who want to explore business opportunities, I tell them about that,” he said, adding that the people in Pontian know about his work and services as he is from the area.

Hasni added that he always tells his voters to clear their doubts with him or his people as there were many lies and fake news about Barisan being spread on social media.