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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
RM4b needed to repair roads nationwide
BACHOK: Heavy rain and overloaded heavy vehicles are the two primary contributors to road damage nationwide, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said due to these factors, the Works Ministry requires RM4 billion annually to repair and upgrade roads across the country. However, the ministry has only received close to RM2 billion, given the government's overall fiscal constraints. "To repair and upgrade roads nationwide, we really need at least RM4 billion, but we have never been allocated, nor have we ever received, that amount. "What we usually get is somewhere around RM2 billion due to the government's financial limitations. "Nevertheless, we continue to hope and have high expectations for higher allocations every year, because some roads are ageing and their surfaces need to be resurfaced, but resources are scarce," he said at a press conference after launching the Umno Bachok division delegates' meeting here today. Ahmad also revealed that the ministry had previously proposed that revenue collected by the Road Transport Department (RTD), including road taxes and traffic fines, be channelled to the Works Ministry to help fund road maintenance. "This proposal has already been raised, but we have yet to receive any feedback. "If there are suggestions from other parties to consider increasing taxes on heavy vehicles, we will leave it to the Finance Ministry and the Transport Ministry to study," he said. The government has been urged to consider raising taxes on heavy vehicles such as lorries and trailers, which are often blamed for extensive road damage. Experts suggested that the additional revenue could be allocated for road repairs. University Putra Malaysia's Faculty of Engineering Road Safety Research Centre head, Professor Law Teik Hua, was previously quoted as saying that the proposed tax could help the Works Ministry offset the RM4 billion annual road maintenance cost.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Rainy weather, heavy vehicles main causes of damaged roads in Malaysia
BACHOK: The Public Works Ministry (KKR) has identified prolonged rainy weather and overloaded heavy vehicles as the primary reasons for deteriorating road conditions nationwide. Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan disclosed that RM4 billion is needed for road repairs, but only RM2 billion has been allocated due to government budget constraints. Speaking to reporters after officiating the Bachok UMNO division delegates' meeting, Ahmad Maslan emphasised the ministry's ongoing request for increased annual allocations. 'We hope for more funds each year to address ageing roads that require re-tarring,' he said. The ministry had previously proposed redirecting Road Transport Department (JPJ) collections—such as road tax and speeding fines—toward road maintenance. However, the suggestion received no response. Ahmad Maslan added, 'If new taxes for heavy vehicles are introduced, they should be managed by the Finance or Transport Ministry.'
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Barnama
Rainy Weather, Heavy Vehicles Main Causes Behind Damaged Roads
BACHOK, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Public Works Ministry (KKR) has revealed that rainy weather and overloaded heavy vehicles were the two main causes behind damaged roads in the country. Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said RM4 billion was required to repair the damaged roads in the country, but the ministry has only received nearly RM2 billion due to limitations faced by the government. 'My ministry always hopes that we will get more allocations each year to repair damaged roads as there are those that are 'old' and require re-tarring,' he told reporters after officiating the Bachok UMNO division delegates' meeting here today.
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabahans must hold own key, says SAPP
Richard (front row, third from left), Chong (fourth from left) and Aloysius (second from left) with SAPP members at the annual general meeting. KOTA KINABALU (June 28): The people of Sabah must defend their sovereignty and make sure the key to their future stays in their own hands in the coming state election, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president cum secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong We Kong. 'Sarawak has stood firm in defending its rights. Its state government recorded RM14.1 billion in revenue for 2024, which is more than twice the revenue of Sabah. 'Sarawak has already set up its own sovereign wealth fund and is introducing free education. This shows a high level of financial independence. In comparison, Sabah's revenue during the same period is only RM6.4 billion. Our financial structure still relies heavily on federal allocations.' Richard, who also serves as Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, made these remarks on Friday evening while officiating the annual general meeting of SAPP Kepayan and Moyog Constituency Liaison Committees, held jointly in Penampang. He pointed out that Sabah has yet to fully implement the 40 percent net revenue return promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'This continues to prevent us from having genuine financial control.' He added that even after five prime ministers, MA63 has made little real progress and Sabah continues to be sidelined. Richard urged everyone in Sabah to pay close attention to the court case brought by the Sabah Law Society, which will be heard on July 7. 'This case is seeking to legally enforce our 40 percent revenue entitlement, which allows, just from inland revenue alone, Sabah to gain at least RM2 billion more. 'What matters most is that Sabah's future must be decided by Sabahans who are truly committed to defending our rights. We cannot hand the key to outsiders,' he added. SAPP Kepayan CLC chairman Datuk Chong Pit Fah said the annual general meeting is especially important as the state election draws near. 'This is a moment for us to seriously reflect on the future of Sabah,' he said. He emphasised that Sarawak has been consistent in standing its ground on issues such as oil royalties, federal allocations and control over its own media narrative. The federal government does not dare to cross Sarawak's lines. Everything Sarawak has asked for has been fulfilled, step by step. 'Today, Sarawak is financially richer than the federal government. If we in Sabah want the same, there is only one way forward. We must vote for local parties.' Chong said that SAPP, since leaving Barisan Nasional in 2008, was the first party to openly champion the cause of Sabah autonomy, and had never shied away from speaking out. 'Parties from Peninsular Malaysia, however, now claim that they also support autonomy. But such talk is only meant to confuse the public and blur the facts. 'True autonomy means we no longer have to fly across the South China Sea to ask for what is rightfully ours,' he added. Chong called on Sabah voters to stop being deceived that this is impossible. Sarawak is already a living example of what can be done. 'Blindly following others will only cause us to lose our direction. In the end, all we will get is tax, tax and more tax.' SAPP Moyog CLC chairman Aloysius Danim Siap said that the party has always taken a practical and down-to-earth approach, and engaged the grassroots directly and does not rely on empty slogans. 'Our leaders are consistent in both word and action. We never back down when it comes to defending Sabah's sovereignty. Real progress must be concrete and deliverable,' he said.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Cops nab illegal moneylender for seizing ATM cards of victims
MELAKA: What began as a desperate attempt by dozens of private sector workers here to make ends meet turned into a nightmare when an illegal money lender allegedly seized control of their salaries, withholding their hard-earned wages since March last year. Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said police arrested two suspects on Saturday (June 28), believed to be behind the scheme that saw 62 employees forced to survive on piecemeal handouts after deductions for loans and interest. "The two suspects, aged 56 and 26, admitted they were working for an agent and were paid RM2,500 monthly," he told The Star on Saturday (June 28). ACP Christopher Patit said the 26-year-old suspect had two previous convictions for drug offences and was found to be operating an unlicensed money lending operation from premises at Taman Merdeka Permai in Batu Berendam. "The licence they claimed to be operating under was registered to a gold and jewellery outlet at a different address in Taman Peringgit Jaya," he said. He added that the police raid on the Taman Merdeka Permai premises was carried out following intelligence gathered by his team. ACP Christopher Patit noted that among the items seized during the operation were 64 automated teller machine (ATM) cards, lease agreements, RM6,200 in cash, 13 mobile phones, and a list containing the names of borrowers. "The victims are wage earners in private companies, aged between 30 and 50 years," he said. ACP Christopher Patit said the suspects confessed to holding on to the victims' ATM cards in order to collect loan repayments, only returning the remainder of the salaries once the amounts owed had been deducted. He said the suspects are currently under remand as investigations continue under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Section 424A of the Penal Code, which pertains to the fraudulent retention of proceeds from the disposal of property. "We are also tracking down the main suspect who employed the two," he added.
