Kuala lumpur: The government has allocated RM25.2 million for the initial phase of installing solar-powered LED street lights at 32 high-risk and accident-prone locations along highway networks nationwide. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced that the initiative, part of the MADANI Monitoring programme, involves the installation of 3,000 light poles to enhance road users' safety at these identified spots.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this project is a proactive measure by the Works Ministry, in collaboration with the Finance Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call following his announcement of the related allocation in the 2026 Budget in October last year. Nanta emphasized the government's commitment to road safety, noting that while the original allocation was RM30 million, RM25 million has been allocated for the initial phase, with remaining funds to be disbursed based on evolving requirements.
The Letter of Acceptance (SST) has been handed over to the selected contractor, allowing physical works on site to commence immediately, with the project expected to be fully completed by the end of November this year. This announcement was made at a press conference where SSTs were handed over to four contractors appointed for the project.
Present at the event were Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Azman Ibrahim, LLM chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, LLM director-general Datuk Mohd Hadzmir Yusoff, and Public Works Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Esa. Nanta elaborated on the SSTs, totaling RM25,248,813.08, with specific allocations for various expressway locations.
The installation plan includes 1,005 light poles costing RM8.11 million at 12 locations along the North-South Expressway (E1) (North), 567 poles valued at RM5.09 million along the Seremban-Port Dickson Expressway (E29) and the North-South Expressway (E2) (South), 738 poles at five locations along the E2 (South) stretch costing RM6.25 million, and 690 poles valued at RM5.77 million at nine locations across the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (E8) and the East Coast Expressway Phases 1 and 2.
Mohd Hadzmir noted that the LLM employs the MH Roads system to monitor accident data, identifying nine official black spots with serious accident weighting among the 32 locations. The installation of these solar-powered LED lights will be monitored to evaluate trends in accident rate reduction, with maintenance responsibilities subsequently handed over to respective highway concessionaires under LLM supervision.