Kuala lumpur: The Works Ministry is implementing 99 slope repair projects nationwide this year, involving a total cost of RM77.3 million, said its Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He stated that of these projects, 90 are continuations from last year, one is a priority project for this year, and the remainder are special-approval slope repair projects.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government has allocated RM260 million this year for slope safety works in high-risk areas. The budget will be distributed based on the critical needs of each location, especially in areas frequently exposed to slope failure incidents. Natural disasters, such as heavy rainfall, contribute to slope failures, affecting the safety and smooth flow of the road network, Nanta explained during the handover of a slope repair project along the Very High Frequency (VHF) Telapak Buruk route.
Nanta emphasized the ministry's commitment to ensuring public access, mobility, and safety through safe, comfortable, and high-quality federal road networks and slopes. He added that road infrastructure development, including slope safety, remains a key focus of the ministry.
Meanwhile, Nanta highlighted that the slope repair project along the VHF route, costing RM109 million, involves 124 locations under 36 Work Orders. This project aims to ensure uninterrupted operations at the Telapak Buruk transmission station, classified as a Priority 1 Critical Asset. The station provides direct benefits to the public, especially security agencies like the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Chief Government Security Officer, as well as utility and telecommunications companies, to maintain zero-disruption levels for network and utility services in Negeri Sembilan and parts of Selangor, Melaka, and Pahang.
He added that the project was implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR) through a long-term contractor, starting on November 24, 2022, and completed on October 14 last year, thereby providing safe, comfortable, and world-class infrastructure. With this contract, critical slope repair works can be carried out more swiftly and effectively compared to the conventional procurement process. Nanta noted that the ministry faced challenges during project implementation, including weather conditions and site topography.
Earlier, Nanta mentioned that his ministry had approved RM19.5 million for periodic pavement works in the Southern Zone, covering Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor, while RM57.2 million was approved for periodic non-pavement works.