PETALING JAYA: The country is stepping up efforts to adopt smarter mobility systems as vehicle numbers continue to rise and the road network expands, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the government is moving beyond simply building new roads by expanding the use of Intelligent Transport Systems and digital platforms to improve traffic monitoring, road safety and mobility management.
“Every road we build is not merely connecting one place to another. It connects people to opportunities, jobs, education and a better future,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Nanta, who spoke at Intertraffic Amsterdam, said Malaysia currently has nearly 296,000km of road networks and more than 5,000km of highways linking major cities, ports and economic corridors nationwide.
He said the need for smarter mobility management is becoming increasingly important, with more than 1.57 million new vehicles registered in 2024.
He added that public participation is also helping authorities address road issues through the MYJalan mobile app, which allows users to report road damage or safety concerns directly.
“So far, more than 54,000 reports have been received, with the majority successfully resolved,” he said.
Nanta said infrastructure development must deliver clear benefits to the public, citing the Kanowit-Song-Kapit road in Sarawak as an example.
The road now allows residents in Kapit to travel by land in about two to three hours, compared with significantly longer journeys by river previously.
He added that the government will continue expanding the country’s infrastructure network through projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway and the construction and upgrading of more than 2,800km of rural roads under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“The future of mobility is not just about building more roads. It is about building infrastructure that is smarter, safer and more sustainable for the well-being of the people,”he said.
He also said Malaysia welcomes collaboration with global industry partners through platforms such as the Malaysia Road Conference and the MyAsean Roads and Traffic Tech Expo to drive innovation in mobility.
