Hulu Terengganu: The Works Ministry is set to address the repair work on the collapsed Jalan Aring 8-Kenyir-Kuala Jeneris route at the upcoming post-Cabinet meeting. This route, crucial for travelers heading to Gua Musang in Kelantan and Cameron Highlands in Pahang, suffered significant damage during the recent monsoon season.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan emphasized the importance of restoring connectivity for road users. The issue was highlighted by the local community during a meeting with the deputy minister. Ahmad Maslan mentioned that he would engage with the Terengganu Public Works Department (JKR) to discuss the necessary repair actions.
The section between KM187 to KM189 of Jalan Aring 8-Kenyir-Kuala Jeneris was closed in November last year due to landslides caused by heavy rain. Ahmad cited allocation issues as a primary reason for the delays in the repair process. The federal government has acknowledged a request from the state government for RM36 million to address the repairs.
Ahmad noted that such road collapses are uncommon, and due to the high repair costs, additional funds from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance are required. He stated that although the process will take time, the ministry is committed to resolving the issue.
In a separate matter, Ahmad proposed incorporating entrepreneurship courses into the curriculum for Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM) trainees. He suggested collaborations with higher learning institutions, such as Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), to develop these courses, aiming to boost the trainees’ career success.
ABM Eastern Region has trained 43,764 trainees in construction programmes, while CIDB Technologies (CIDB Tech) has trained 10,295 individuals in high-impact fields as of December 2024. This year, ABM Eastern Region plans to focus on developing skills in critical trades like gas pipe fitting and scaffolding. CIDB Tech aims to expand high-quality training programmes in the oil and gas sector, supported by international certifications.