The Ministry of Development acknowledges public concerns regarding damaged road conditions and the time taken for repairs, noting that this matter is a priority, as it directly involves the safety of road users and the smooth flow of daily traffic, said Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid.

He said this during the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council (LegCo), in response to matters raised by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan on what concrete and systematic plans the ministry has to improve road maintenance management so that it becomes more responsive and efficient.

Yang Berhormat Abdul Aziz noted that it is timely for a new approach, including faster and higher-impact work methods, in line with current public expectations for timely and quality services, and suggested that the ministry considers the use of modern technologies in road maintenance works.

Suggestions include the use of “quick repair” technology or rapid patching materials to enable faster pothole repairs; the use of integrated digital monitoring or reporting systems, including smart applications for the public to report road damage directly; the use of road scanning technology to detect damage early before it becomes severe: and the adoption of more durable and cost-effective construction materials to reduce repeated repairs.

He believes that with a more modern and systematic approach, not only can maintenance costs be optimised, but the safety and well-being of road users can also be enhanced.

Meanwhile, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda shared that, in terms of current implementation, road maintenance works are carried out through term contracts and scheduled repair projects. Out of 18 road repair projects, 11 contracts have been completed to date.

This covers approximately 16.8 kilometres (km) of main roads, while the remaining projects are under implementation, evaluation, and re-tendering, involving an additional 26.3km of repairs.

However, the ministry recognised several challenges contributing to delays, including the need for technical coordination and underground utility management; unpredictable weather conditions; and the requirement to ensure that work quality meets specified standards.

The ministry is also exploring the use of the new technologies in repair and resurfacing works to enhance road durability and extend lifespan.

These include the use of asphalt fibre reinforcement, incorporating fibres into asphalt mixtures to improve resistance to cracking and deformation; the installation of fibreglass reinforcement grids to strengthen the road base structure, making it more resistant to traffic loads and preventing uneven surfaces and cracks: and the use of polymer-modified materials in the road base to improve resistance to water and traffic loads, thereby reducing issues such as potholes and cracking.

Overall, the ministry, said the minister, remains committed to continuously improving the road maintenance management system to be more efficient, responsive, and high-impact.

(news source: Borneo Bulletin; pic source: Info Foto, Jabatan Penerangan)