IPOH: The Perak government has applied for part of the additional allocation of RM250mil announced by the Federal Government to repair damaged federal roads in the state.
State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the state government had made the application in accordance with the prescribed procedures after it was announced.
"We are requesting (an allocation) to repair federal roads based on complaints received from periodic monitoring related to road quality.
"It is true that these federal roads have fallen into neglect and need to be maintained. We have identified the roads that need to be urgently repaired in a detailed report to the Finance Ministry for immediate action and I hope it is approved," he said at the Sungai Rapat assemblyman's Aidilfitri function at Taman Lapangan Jaya near here on Saturday (May 6).
Also present were state Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi and Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing.
On April 18, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, said the Government had made an additional RM250mil allocation for maintenance purposes after taking into account the availability and quality of federal roads.
It brings the provision for periodic maintenance of federal roads announced in Budget 2023 to RM1bil.
Mohammad Nizar added that he was aware that the provision announce is for roads throughout the country but he requested that the government addresses federal roads in Perak.
"Perak needs attention is because the state government wants to upgrade the East-West Highway connecting Gerik in Perak and Jeli in Kelantan (at accident-prone spots) that warrant immediate action.
"We have highlighted this matter to the ministry because it involves matters of development and the socio-economic welfare of the people of Perak that need to be taken into account and considered by the Federal Government," he said. – Bernama
