Federal Road Maintenance Allocation For Sabah And Sarawak Up 300 Pct - Nanta

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The government has increased the allocation for federal road maintenance in Sabah and Sarawak by up to 300 per cent this year to address urgent infrastructure needs in the two states, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that RM200 million had been approved for each of Sarawak and Sabah, while RM300 million had been allocated for the maintenance of federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia.

“Previously, we allocated more to the peninsula because of pressing needs. So, this year we are focusing on the more urgent needs, which are in Sarawak and Sabah,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for the Works Ministry (KKR) today.

Meanwhile, Nanta said that work to upgrade the 136.74-kilometre Redline alignment in Sarawak would begin this year.

He said that the upgrade would involve rebuilding the pavement structure and enhancing safety features.

The Redline project, a strategic federal government initiative, is divided into two main components, namely the short alignment of 17.1 km, covering nine sections in Lachau, Selangau, Balingian, Kemena, Sebiew and Tudan; and the long alignment of 119.64 km, spanning Durin and Salim, Kemena, Tudan, Batu Kawa and Padawan.

-- BERNAMA