Additional RM30 Million To Upgrade Gerik-Jeli Highway - Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced an additional RM30 million allocation for the East-West Highway, which connects Gerik and Jeli, Malay Mail reported.

He stated that the allocation was for the highway's one-time maintenance cost, which was estimated at RM80 million to RM100 million.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, stated that there have been numerous requests for road maintenance allocations throughout the country, and that he will take them into account when tabling the second Madani budget in October.

"But today I can approve an additional 30 million ringgit for upgrading this road (highway)," he said when launching the MyJalan campaign of the works ministry in Gerik.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi had previously announced an initial allocation of RM30 million from the works ministry for the route's upgrading and maintenance.

Anwar also stated that the government had approved additional allocations totaling RM370 million for the upkeep of federal roads across the country this year.

He stated that the RM300 million was for federal road maintenance, which was not included in the contracts with concession companies.

“A total of RM20 million is a special allocation for district engineers and RM50 million for the installation and maintenance of lights in accident-prone areas," he said.

He added that the government had also approved RM250 million in maintenance funds for small Bumiputera contractors.

The concession company, according to Nanta, will repair the route as soon as possible.
"With this additional allocation, we can spend on more substantive work and not just patch up the ageing highway.

"This route can also be 'reconstructed' where possible, and it is up to the technical authorities to decide on the repairs to be done using this allocation," he said. Asked if this allocation would cover the installation of additional lighting on the route, he said all needs would have to be studied first.