Camerons MP to lodge reports on shoddy roadworks affecting Orang Asli communities

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat was taken aback when Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor said he intends to lodge reports over shoddy roadworks affecting rural Orang Asli communities.

The incident happened just as Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was wrapping up his ministerial replies when Ramli, who was presiding as Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker, said he wanted to ask the minister the last question.

"As Cameron Highlands MP, I want to know why, in rural areas, particularly affecting the Orang Asli, roads are damaged and problematic.

"I have information based on investigations and observations that many of the road projects do not follow specifications," Ramli said during debates on Budget 2024 in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 31)

Ramli, who is of Orang Asli descent, said he had instructed his officer to take the matter up with the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa).

"If this is true, my officer or I will lodge reports with the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In 2019, Ramli, a former senior police officer, made history when he became the first elected Orang Asli MP after winning the Cameron Highlands by-election.

Last year, Ramli became the first Orang Asli appointed as Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker.

Meanwhile, Nanta welcomed the initiative by Ramli, saying that he would leave investigations to the police and MACC.

Earlier, Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government would continue to look at expanding EV charging infrastructure nationwide.

He said the plan is to see more EV fast charging stations set up along main highways.

According to Nanta, 22 EV fast charging stations were already in operation along PLUS-operated highways, with 18 more under construction.

He added that another four modular portable EV fast charging stations with battery energy storage systems and the first of its kind in South-East Asia due to its usage of solar and battery power to charge EVs, were already set up and undergoing trials.