Pasir Gudang Highway Off Worst Roads List But Streetlight Issues Linger

The Pasir Gudang Highway, once infamous for being ranked the second worst road in Malaysia, has finally shed that label after years of repairs and upgrades. 

Johor’s state assembly was told that the highway is no longer on the country’s top 10 worst roads list, marking a significant turnaround for one of the busiest routes in the state.

State works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the improvement didn’t happen overnight but came after consistent monitoring and fixing.

“When we first took over monitoring of the Pasir Gudang Highway a few years ago, it was ranked the second worst road in Malaysia. I am glad to share that it has now been removed from the list

“Just a few years ago, the Pasir Gudang Highway was ranked as the second-worst road in the entire country

"Following our continued efforts, I am glad to share that the highway is now no longer among the top 10 worst roads in Malaysia," he said during the sitting at Kota Iskandar.

But while the road condition has improved, its long-standing streetlight problems still haven’t gone away. 

Responding to a question from Baharudin Mohamed Taib (Barisan–Permas), Mohamad Fazli admitted that the lighting issue has been persistent, and he has visited the site seven times.

Part of the challenge lies in the split maintenance responsibility between the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB). 

On the MBJB-managed stretch, 167 out of 1,308 streetlights aren’t working. The portion handled by JKR has 52 functioning poles.

To fix this, MBJB is currently carrying out RM1 million worth of underground cable and lighting repairs, expected to be completed by Dec 15. 

The council will also be appointing a dedicated maintenance contractor next year.

Looking ahead, all 1,308 streetlights will be replaced with smart LED units at an estimated cost of RM6 million. 

"The state also plans to tighten monitoring of overloaded heavy vehicles and eventually shift industrial cargo to rail to reduce road wear in future," he added.