KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed construction of the Madani Highway connecting Seremban-Kuala Pilah-Bahau is not currently in the Works Ministry's plans, according to the ministry.
However, the ministry said the study on an Alternative Route for the Seremban-Kuala Pilah Road (FT051), which began in July 2022, was completed in July 2023 to identify solutions based on traffic needs, land use, socioeconomic factors, as well as environmental and social impacts.
Following the study, the ministry said two preliminary works projects had been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
The first project involves preliminary works to construct the Kuala Pilah Bypass from Tanjung Ipoh to Kampung Gentam Tengah, Kuala Pilah, with an allocation of RM187mil for design and land acquisition, while the second involves preliminary works to construct a new road from Ulu Bendul to Tanjung Ipoh, with an allocation of RM5mil for design under the 13MP.
"The outcome of the preliminary works and design will be used to finalise the technical scope and prepare a more detailed estimate of the project cost.
"Subsequently, an application for the implementation of the physical project will be submitted to the central agency for consideration and approval," KKR said in a written reply uploaded on the Parliament website on Friday (Oct 23) in response to a question from Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) on the latest status of the proposed highway.
In addition, the ministry said it had also received several unsolicited proposals from the private sector to construct a tolled highway along the route, but any decision on their implementation would be subject to consideration by the central agency.
Meanwhile, in response to a question from Vivian Wong Shir Yee (PH-Sandakan), the ministry said the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) had issued a notice of termination of the contract to contractor Jeramaju Sdn Bhd for Package 4 of the Libaran Bypass Road Project in Sandakan on Sept 30 following delays in its implementation.
According to the ministry, the 7.14km project had recorded 96.30% physical progress, with the latest overall cost standing at RM142.70mil compared with the original cost of RM105mil.
"The delay was caused by performance issues involving the consultant and contractor. Appropriate action has been taken against the consultant, while the department in Sabah issued a notice of contract termination to the contractor after the final extension of time expired on Sept 30, 2026," it said.
Overall, the Libaran Bypass Road Project covers a 29.7-kilometre stretch from the Batu 32 intersection to Batu 16, Kampung Gum-Gum, Sandakan, and is being implemented in stages through four packages. – Bernama
