IPOH: The Perak state government aims to include a comprehensive upgrade of the East-West Highway in the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said that the proposal is essential and discussions with the Public Works Department are underway, as the state believes patching the 40-year-old highway is no longer sufficient.
“The federal government, through JKR, should reassess the highway’s alignment and consider a full reconstruction, not just resurfacing.
“This is because the highway structure is outdated and parts of the damage even expose the base layer, and simple patch jobs will likely no longer suffice.
“We understand it requires a substantial allocation, and when I was with the Prime Minister at a recent event in Lumut, I took the opportunity to raise this matter and conveyed our concerns about the highway,” he told reporters after closing the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 on Saturday (June 21).
Saarani mentioned that the Prime Minister noted the high cost involved.
“But at the very least, the state government has registered our official stance. We will send an official letter once the state executive councillor obtains accurate data and technical input from JKR, as this is a technical matter,” he said.
Saarani added that the state executive councillor in charge of health is also asked to prepare a formal application to the Health Ministry to upgrade the hospital and medical facilities in Gerik.
He said due to frequent accidents along the highway, Gerik Hospital has become a critical facility and needs adequate specialists and infrastructure.
“This is very important, otherwise, accident victims have to be transported to Taiping or Ipoh.
“If Gerik Hospital is sufficiently upgraded with the necessary facilities and expertise, it would be enough to treat those patients there.
“Sometimes it takes around two hours to travel from Gerik to Ipoh, and the same to Taiping.
“If the injury is severe, immediate treatment in Gerik would be sufficient if it has the proper equipment and specialists,” he said.
Asked if there was any timeframe given to both the state executive councillors, Saarani answered no.
On June 9, 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students were killed after a bus crashed on the highway.
