Latest news with #WaterandPublicTransportCommittee
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Perak MB: New route needed as East–West Highway concession ends
IPOH: Proposals to build a new highway or an alternative route to address the increasing frequency of accidents along the East-West Highway (JRTB) will be submitted to the federal government. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the highway's 40-year concession had expired, making it critical to review its alignment and overall condition. "Earlier, I chaired the weekly exco meeting. We discussed at length the fact that this route runs partly through Kelantan and partly through Perak. "We were informed that the highway's concession has actually expired — it was a 40-year concession that has reached its end and should be reviewed. "We must remember that it was built during the time of the late Tun Razak (Tun Abdul Razak Hussein), and it was intended to curb the infiltration of communists from Thailand into Pahang," he said. He told reporters this after closing Perak Export Day at Casuarina Hotel here, today. The length of the JRTB is 123km, and it was constructed at a cost of RM205 million. It is one of the main routes connecting the western and eastern regions of Peninsular Malaysia (Perak and Kelantan states). Its construction began in 1967 and it was opened to the public on July 1, 1982. Saarani said that when JRTB was originally built, the circumstances were different, with no concrete and limited technology. "It's time to review the alignment and the condition of the road itself. Some parts have already shown the foundation; the soil is exposed. You can't just patch it up — it must be looked at comprehensively," he said. He said that during the exco meeting, state Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin and state Human Resources, Health and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman A. Sivanesan were tasked with overseeing the matter. "We asked Datuk Seri Nizar to prepare an exco paper and forward it to the federal government regarding the highway's infrastructure. "Datuk Seri Nizar needs to prepare a list of what needs to be done, including the alignment, widening, construction materials, and everything related — such as street lighting," he said. Saarani said he would also raise the matter personally with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the latter's visit to Lumut on Sunday. "Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously approved an allocation of RM30 million for repairs but acknowledged that the amount fell short of what was required to properly address the highway's needs. "I believe the federal government will consider additional funding under the next Malaysia Plan," he said. On Monday, the bus, carrying 42 UPSI students, was travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to the university's main campus when it collided with a Perodua Alza at KM53 of the East-West Highway. Thirteen students died at the scene while two others were pronounced dead in hospital.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Perak govt proposes tahfiz centres be reclassified under lower water tariff code
IPOH: The Perak government is prepared to submit a proposal to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) to reclassify tahfiz centres under a different category for water service tariff, following complaints of rising monthly water bills at the centres. State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the power to amend or set water service tariffs lies with the relevant minister, based on recommendations made by SPAN. 'According to the implementation of the water supply rate adjustment under the Water Services Industry (Rates for Water Supply Services) (State of Perak) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, Second Schedule (Regulation 3), regarding Usage Type, tahfiz centres are now uniformly categorised across Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan under the 'School' category with Non-Domestic Usage Type, subject to tariff code 21. 'The state government takes note of the proposal to reclassify water tariff for tahfiz centres and is ready to forward it to SPAN for consideration,' he said during the winding up session on the Royal Address at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. On April 18, Selama assemblyman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin urged the state government to hold engagement sessions with tahfiz school administrators statewide following the water tariff code revision by the Perak Water Board which has affected these institutions. He said the change from tariff code 41, which covered houses of worship and charitable institutions, to code 21, a non-domestic category, has placed a financial burden on tahfiz management. The change in tariff code has allegedly resulted in a monthly water bill increase of between RM500 and RM1,000.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Perak govt proposes lower water tariff for tahfiz centres
IPOH: The Perak government is prepared to submit a proposal to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) to reclassify tahfiz centres under a different category for water service tariff, following complaints of rising monthly water bills at the centres. State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the power to amend or set water service tariffs lies with the relevant minister, based on recommendations made by SPAN. 'According to the implementation of the water supply rate adjustment under the Water Services Industry (Rates for Water Supply Services) (State of Perak) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, Second Schedule (Regulation 3), regarding Usage Type, tahfiz centres are now uniformly categorised across Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan under the 'School' category with Non-Domestic Usage Type, subject to tariff code 21. 'The state government takes note of the proposal to reclassify water tariff for tahfiz centres and is ready to forward it to SPAN for consideration,' he said during the winding up session on the Royal Address at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. On April 18, Selama assemblyman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin urged the state government to hold engagement sessions with tahfiz school administrators statewide following the water tariff code revision by the Perak Water Board which has affected these institutions. He said the change from tariff code 41, which covered houses of worship and charitable institutions, to code 21, a non-domestic category, has placed a financial burden on tahfiz management. The change in tariff code has allegedly resulted in a monthly water bill increase of between RM500 and RM1,000.
Malay Mail
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Perak exco: Bailey bridge to reconnect Sungkai hot spring, Orang Asli village after collapse cuts off access
IPOH, April 21 — A Bailey bridge will be constructed as a temporary replacement for the Sungai Liat bridge that collapsed yesterday morning to reconnect Felda Residence Hot Spring, Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Tisong and Buyong Mas Sanctuary Campsite near Sungkai. Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the construction, costing about RM1 million, will start today and is expected to be done by April 29. 'The bridge will be a one-way route that can be used by all ordinary vehicles, including lorries with oil palm loads, around the affected area. It is the best measure to ensure that the problem doesn't drag on,' he said during a media conference at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here today. He added that there has been no unexpected incidents in the affected area besides 536 Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Tisong residents having been transfered to the Sungkai Orang Asli Transit Point. 'For now only 95 visitors at Felda Residence Hotspring are stranded but all of them are well, with all their needs, especially food and drink, catered to by Felda Residence Hotspring,' he said. On the cause of the collapse, he said there were signs of erosion that affected the bridge structure. 'For a long term solution, the bridge needs to be upgraded to a single span bridge that will allow a smoother flow of water,' he added. — Bernama
