KUALA LUMPUR: Public roads built on government-owned land, especially main roads, should not be sold or transferred to private parties as they are national strategic assets and public property, the Dewan Rakyat heard.
"However, in certain circumstances, private involvement is limited to road management or maintenance under a concession agreement, without affecting government ownership of the land or the road’s status as a public road," Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said during question time on Wednesday (Feb 25).
He said that to ensure public interests are protected and access is not arbitrarily restricted, any closure, disposal, or change of road status is subject to gazettement and approval by the relevant authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974 (Act 133), and the National Land Code 1965 (Act 828).
"This process involves review by the Public Works Department, local authorities, approval from the state authority, and the provision of alternative routes of equivalent or better standard if public access is affected.
"The government remains committed to ensuring that all decisions regarding the public road network are made transparently and fairly to safeguard public interests," he added.
P Prabakaran (PH-Batu) had asked if roads built on government-owned land can be sold or transferred to private parties, and what mechanisms are in place to safeguard public interests, specifically to ensure that access is not restricted.
