Kangar: The use of road barriers in Malaysia is determined by technical justification to ensure the safety of road users, with a focus on the suitability of materials for specific areas. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi highlighted that the ministry remains vigilant about adopting the latest materials and technological advancements, with a dedicated unit testing material samples to assess their feasibility for the country’s roads.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta emphasized the importance of evaluating new materials introduced in the market to determine their compatibility with Malaysia’s unique environmental conditions, such as excessive rainfall. He pointed out that materials effective in other countries might not necessarily perform well in Malaysia. Nanta’s remarks were made during an inspection of a major project at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), accompanied by UniMAP Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaliman Sauli.
When questioned about potential plans to replace concrete or metal road barriers with shock-absorbing alternatives, Nanta explained that the Ministry of Works has adopted specific solutions like ‘roller barriers’ on the Karak Highway in hilly regions. These composite components are less rigid but are only suitable for certain areas, with concrete barriers still necessary in others.
Additionally, Nanta addressed the stalled reconstruction projects for Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Chuping and Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Perlis, noting that these are currently at the Ministry of Education’s level. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ordered the reconstruction of SK Chuping to commence this year, with the project to be handed over to a capable government entity.
Furthermore, a media statement from the Ministry of Works outlined three key projects at UniMAP: the UniMAP Mosque and Islamic Centre Project, the UniMAP Grand Hall Project, and the UniMAP Engineering Study Centre Project. The mosque and Islamic centre are expected to be completed by August, the grand hall by July, and the engineering study centre by October next year.