It’s no secret that many federal roads are in dire need of upgrades and proper maintenance, but have not received the necessary care due to a lack of funding, which has limited the ability to carry out the work. The issue has been ever present, and very much deep-rooted.
In the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) that was presented by prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, the government acknowledged that the long-standing issue of road maintenance, whether implemented on a corrective or preventive basis, remained an issue that was unaddressed, primarily due to a lack of resources.
That continued shortfall meant that a preference for corrective maintenance over scheduled maintenance was inevitable, aggravating the problem. The inability to perform proper maintenance and repairs has led to the degradation of roads, reducing their lifespan as well as raising maintenance costs in the long run.
In the document, it was stated that during the 11th Malaysia Plan, federal funding allocation was only sufficient to cover 25% of the total requirement for federal road maintenance. Back in 2018, it was reported that the yearly cost for maintaining federal roads was around RM2 billion, but the works ministry only received between RM600 million and RM800 million a year.
Both the works ministry’s officers and experts have previously stated that federal roads needed to be resurfaced every seven years, but this practice was never carried out. Requests from the ministry for a bigger budget allocation have been an annual affair, but until this happens, the situation is something motorists will have to live with.
The plan does outline some interim solutions, stating that a preventive maintenance approach will be adopted to extend the lifespan of roads and bridges using advanced materials and innovative technology proven to be able to increase road lifespans. A number of pilot projects using these have been undertaken, and will gradually be implemented in maintaining selected roads and bridges across the country.
Among the technologies that will be applied is an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to support the higher allowable axle load of commercial vehicles. The UHPC will be used mainly in replacing and upgrading aged and narrow bridges.
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Federal roads? Nay, come to Selangor and it is state roads that are worse than Somalias.
What about the 2 Borneo states?
They got toll-free 1,000km brand new PAN Borneo highway. So?
Yes, go ahead & compare what has yet to be build & completed, with what that has already been build.
Since concrete roads on PLUS seems to last a lifetime, why not replace all roads with concrete.
Noisy as hell, you wouldn’t wanna drive for 3 hours with roaring tyre noise.
The reason why pot holes never get resolved is because the process of doing is a scam engaged by the same group/ type of people. They pour sand not aggregate and the wrong compounding of tar which doesn’t provide the required adhesion.
Have you seen lately there is a lot of resurfacing in your municipality?
The existing premix (asphalt) is still acceptable,no visible potholes…but the pavers,tandem rollers work 18 hours non stop.Why? There are certain funds for “roadworks”that still needs to be dished out before Christmas.Thats why.No potholes,but resurfacing suddenly was given “priority”.
By right the contractor should “mill” away the existing premix,but they are in a rush,just add another 2inches of asphalt to finish the job,and get paid.Very soon,floods occur cos of lesser space for the rain water to disperse.
So,some places get a new layer of asphalt where it can wait, whereas there are tons of potholes especially near Port klang which are ‘mine fields” for accidents.
So,potholes being fixed on time is just a MYTH.It is a grand fairytale.
They intentionally reduce the compounding of tar to save cost and increase the ratio of sand so it keeps breaking.
Over time water will seep in through the same gaps and push the same pile of sand out.
FYI the new modus operandi now is to keep digging and repairing the same pipe on the same road. Every 3 months. It’s almost like a dig-and-put-it-back scheme.
How come international crimes can be discovered on a daily basis, but simple 100 years old non conformance road paving scams cannot be discovered by the same group of representatives?
Digging international crimes win them votes, digging roads is not a vote winner.
Just ban all heavy commercial vehicles from using the road
potholes after resurface become road bump only in malaysia
Road bump?
More like a launch pad to me…hit it at the ideal speed and u get ‘air time’.
Don’t worry, comes GE, roads will be smooth like a new born.