SABAH SEEKS RM630M FOR LANDSLIDE-PRONE ROADS

Kota Kinabalu, June 23, 2009: The Federal Government will consider allocating RM630 million under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to improve the 150 landslide-prone roads throughout Sabah.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the Ministry is also looking to improve roads in the State. "I was told yesterday (Sunday) that they need a huge amount of money ... around RM630m to improve 150 slope areas in Sabah.

"We will also give priority to all the roads and slopes that have eroded in Sabah," he said after visiting the Royal Malaysian Navy submarine base at Sepanggar Bay, Monday.

He said the amount of rainfall in Sabah was quite heavy, which explains the frequent landslides and erosions.

There are three very high-risk slope locations in Sabah - along Jalan Tamparuli-Sandakan that includes Mile 82.2 near Kundasang while others include Jalan Penampang-Tambunan and Jalan Kimanis-Keningau.

Shaziman also said the Ministry is considering developing main roads that connect the towns including roads that are economically impacting the people in terms of agriculture and tourism, among others.

"At the same time, we will probably get Sabah PWD to get a consultant to look for methods to build roads in Sabah," he said.

This is because the Federal Government will be spending a huge amount during the Malaysia Plans such as in the 9MP and 10MP for the maintenance of the slopes, he said.

Last year, the Works Ministry under former Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed disclosed that 20 per cent of Federal roads in Sabah are in need of repairs.

The Ministry, also last year, had allocated some RM17 billion to pave all roads within a 30km radius from the towns in Sabah by 2015.

Shaziman also said traffic jams in Sabah are not really a major issue unlike in Kuala Lumpur. "Our main priority is to make sure there is a road and access to residents in the main towns."