Works Ministry boosts federal road upkeep funding by RM490 million, with Pahang, Johor and Sabah receiving the largest state allocations.
PETALING JAYA: Federal road maintenance will receive a major funding boost this year, with the Works Ministry allocating RM2.96 billion nationwide in 2025.
The allocation is RM490 million higher than the RM2.48 billion spent in 2024 as the government steps up efforts to keep roads safe and serviceable.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the ministry, through the Public Works Department (PWD) and its state branches in Sabah and Sarawak, is responsible for maintaining 18,705.93km of federal roads nationwide.
This includes 14,973.93km in Peninsular Malaysia, 1,536.95km in Sabah, 2,055.92km in Sarawak and 139.13km in Labuan.
“Maintenance is carried out under three main programmes – routine preventive maintenance, periodic corrective maintenance for both pavements and non-pavements, and minor emergency repairs.
“Routine maintenance addresses minor damage early to prevent deterioration, while periodic work involves more extensive repairs to road surfaces and underlying structures and emergency repairs are conducted immediately when road safety is at risk, with potholes patched within 24 hours of detection.
“Street lighting and traffic light upkeep are also handled by PWD through procurement processes.”
Ahmad was responding to a question from Jeli MP Zahari Kechik who sought details on federal road maintenance expenditure by state for 2024 and allocations for 2025.
For Peninsular Malaysia, the total allocation for 2025 stands at RM2.36 billion, with Pahang receiving RM428.85 million, Johor RM424.08 million, and Selangor RM247.15 million — the largest shares.
Other allocations include Perak (RM336.38 million), Kedah (RM236.26 million), Negeri Sembilan (RM192.84 million), Kelantan (RM173.08 million), Terengganu (RM166.40 million), Malacca (RM61.81 million), Pulau Pinang (RM50.36 million) and Perlis (RM43.41 million).
Meanwhile, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will collectively receive RM595.59 million – Sabah (RM341.74 million), Sarawak (RM213.22 million) and Labuan (RM40.63 million).
Addressing concerns over disparities between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, Ahmad said the RM341.7 million allocation for Sabah in 2025 reflects targeted federal support.
He added that state and municipal roads are maintained by state governments using allocations from the Malaysian Road Records Information System under the Finance Ministry, while agricultural and rural roads fall under the purview of the ministries of Agriculture, and Rural and Regional Development.
“These agencies are critical in ensuring that roads across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak remain safe and well-maintained.”
The ministry emphasised its commitment to safe, reliable federal roads, noting that careful planning and prioritising urgent repairs help maintain the network’s quality and cost-effectiveness all year.
