East-West Highway upgrade on the table, says Perak MB
Promising development: Saarani (centre) attending a Perak Export Day programme at a hotel in Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: The East-West Highway that connects Perak's Gerik with Kelantan's Jeli is in need of massive upgrades to improve its condition and safety, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said state infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has been tasked with preparing a working paper detailing things required to improve the road.
'It's high time we look into the highway's alignment and condition,' he said in a press conference after opening Perak Export Day here yesterday.
'The highway was built during (Malaysia's second prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak Hussein's time to stop incursions by communists.
'Mohammad Nizar and the Public Works Department will need to review and list down the things needed to be done, be it to widen the road, the construction materials needed, lines on the road or street lights,' he said, adding that some stretches of the road could no longer be patched up.
Fifteen Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students were killed after a bus crashed on the highway on Monday.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the site of the tragedy was already earmarked for rehabilitation this year with an allocation of RM55mil.
Saarani said a new hospital is also needed in Gerik to provide treatment to victims due to the high frequency of accidents on the highway.
'Gerik needs a new hospital as well as experts, staff and facilities. A separate paper will be prepared by state health committee A. Sivanesan on this,' he said, adding that both papers will be forwarded to the federal government for consideration to be included in the next Malaysia Plan.
'I will also speak to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 15 about the proposals to improve the situation near the highway,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Najib's DNAA another step in his political rehabilitation, says political analyst
Chin believes the DNAA in Najib's final criminal case involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds amounting to RM27 million marks another step in his ongoing political rehabilitation. MIRI (June 21): The discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) granted to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak came as no surprise, said political analyst Prof Dr James Chin. The professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania believes the DNAA in Najib's final criminal case involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds amounting to RM27 million marks another step in his ongoing political rehabilitation. 'A lot of people who have been following this case are clearly not surprised he got a DNAA. The simple reason is the prosecutors have failed to move the case along for the past six years,' he told The Borneo Post when contacted. Chin said public perception of the decision is far more damning, with many interpreting the DNAA as a sign that Najib's rehabilitation is well underway and that the spirit of 'reformasi' (reformation) under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim 'is dead'. He also questioned Anwar's role in the court outcome, saying the public had expected the Parti Keadilan Rakyat president to push through with the prosecution when he took over the helm as Prime Minister in 2022. 'The fact that he has done nothing and allowed this DNAA to move forward, for many people at least, they think there is a political deal and that Najib's political rehabilitation has begun,' he said. He further warned that this latest development could spell trouble for the Unity Government, particularly among Anwar's reform-minded supporters. 'This is a really bad omen for Anwar's government and it puts a lot of people who support him in a difficult position. They support him because they want the reforms, and rather than getting 'reformasi', they get 'reformati'.' 'Reformati' is a derogatory wordplay on Pakatan Harapan's 'reformasi' slogan, meant to suggest the agenda for reform is now dead, or 'mati'. Chin also noted that the DNAA could pave the way for Najib's return to frontline politics – depending on the outcome of GE17. On Friday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted Najib a DNAA in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, with Judge K. Muniandy noted that the trial had stalled since 2019 with not a single witness being called to testify. The judge delivered the decision during a hearing on whether to set new trial dates or grant a DNAA, as previously applied by the defence. Judge Muniandy said the rule of law was applicable to prevent such a detrimental situation whereby an accused person is saddled with criminal charges with no outcome for an indefinite and indeterminate period. dnaa james chin lead Najib
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
No earthquake, but cause of Ipoh 'explosions' must be probed, says MB
IPOH: The state government is calling on the public to remain calm following reports of mysterious explosions and tremors felt in several parts of the city here on Wednesday. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad acknowledged the growing public concern over the incident, which had been occurring with unusual frequency in recent months. "We recall a similar mysterious explosion that occurred last year. People in Taiping also heard it as though it happened there. In Kuala Kangsar, residents felt it too and in Ipoh, people experienced the same. "This is a mysterious event. I believe it should be thoroughly studied by the relevant departments," he said. Saarani was speaking to reporters after closing the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 at the Ipoh Convention Centre (ICC) today. He also noted that similar incidents had been reported outside the state. "A similar case was reported in Selangor earlier this year. Perhaps geologists can investigate further so we can understand what's actually happening. "I urge the public not to panic. So far, there have been no earthquakes or related tremors recorded in the country, and there are also no signs of damage in Perak," he added. On Wednesday, it was reported that people heard a booming sound and at the same time, felt tremors in various areas around the state capital. According to social media posts and comments, users claimed to have felt the tremors in Chemor, Chepor and Tanah Hitam around 10.30am. On Oct 21 last year, a loud explosion and strong tremor was also reported in several parts of the city, including Tasek, Perak Stadium, Meru, Falim, Manjoi, Chemor and Sungai Siput at around 11.06am.
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Perak MB calls for overhaul of Gerik–Jeli Highway in 13th Malaysia Plan
IPOH: The state government is urging the federal administration to prioritise the complete reconstruction and upgrading of the ageing Gerik–Jeli Highway under the upcoming Malaysia Plan. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the highway was unfit for use with mere patchwork repairs, emphasising the need for a complete overhaul. "Instead of patching it up, the federal government, through the Public Works Department, should consider fully reconstructing and upgrading the highway. "The structure is old, and in some areas, damage has reached the base layer. Simple repairs won't be sufficient anymore," he said. Saarani was speaking to reporters after closing the National Training Week 2025 event at the Ipoh Convention Centre here today. He added that the matter was raised with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Manjung on June 15. "I had the opportunity to highlight the urgent need to upgrade the Gerik–Jeli Highway to the prime minister. "The prime minister acknowledged our concern but noted the high cost involved. Still, the state has formally registered our position," he said. When asked whether the proposal could be included in the 13th Malaysia Plan, Saarani confirmed that efforts were underway. "We are working to ensure this is included in the upcoming Malaysia Plan because it is a pressing need," he said. On June 11, Saarani said that proposals to either construct a new highway or establish an alternative route would be submitted to the federal government, citing the increasing number of accidents along the Gerik–Jeli Highway. Following this, state Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin was tasked with overseeing the matter. Nizar has been instructed to prepare a detailed proposal, including route alignment, road widening, construction materials and related infrastructure, such as street lighting. This will then be submitted to the federal government. On another matter, Saarani said the state was requesting the Health Ministry to upgrade Gerik Hospital and its facilities in light of the frequent and serious traffic accidents along the highway. "We've asked Sivanesan (referring to state Health committee chairman A. Sivanesan) to prepare a formal application. Gerik Hospital needs better equipment, facilities and specialist staff. "Many critical patients need to be transferred to Taiping or Ipoh, and that can take up to two hours, and that delay can be fatal," he said. On June 9, a tragic crash along the East-West Highway at Km53 involving a bus carrying 42 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students underscored the need for urgent improvements. The bus, travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus in Tanjung Malim, collided with a Perodua Alza.
