KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — An annual allocation of RM32.8 million will be dedicated to routine maintenance of the Pan Borneo Highway, in accordance with the handover schedule following the full completion of the project.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the approval for this phased allocation has been obtained with consideration for feasibility in the current year, to ensure the road remains safe for all users.
He said his ministry will appoint a concessionaire via a privatisation deal to perform maintenance, including routine maintenance, periodic pavement work, non-pavement periodic work, and emergency repairs.
“Under the scope of routine maintenance, the appointed concessionaire will conduct routine inspection patrols of federal roads twice a week.
“This is to ensure any road damage, such as potholes, is promptly addressed. Pothole patching must be carried out within 24 hours in line with KKR’s zero-pothole policy on federal roads throughout the country,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Ali Biju (PN-Saratok) about the ministry’s long-term highway management plan, the types of road maintenance to be done, and funds for maintaining the Pan Borneo Highway after its completion.
Nanta said penalties will be imposed on the concessionaire if its response times are unsatisfactory.
In response to Ali’s supplementary question about whether the ministry plans to review the use of “P-turns” on the Pan Borneo Highway, especially in accident-prone Saratok area, Nanta said studies on the issue have been conducted.
“The selection and placement of each ‘P-turn’ on the Pan Borneo Highway are based on previous traffic studies, and comply with safe speed specifications, particularly in densely populated areas,” he said.
— Bernama
