37 rural road and 17 bridge projects worth RM1.87 billion approved for Kelantan, with state allocation rising to RM450.7 million next year.
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 37 rural road improvement and 17 rural bridge projects have been approved in Kelantan this year under the Rural Road Programme (JALB).
The approved projects carry a combined cost of RM1.87 billion.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said six projects are completed, 32 are under construction and 16 are in the pre-implementation stage.
She said project approvals follow requests and priority lists submitted by the state government.
“Kelantan continues to receive increased funding for the implementation of projects under the ministry,” she told the Dewan Negara.
Rubiah added that Kelantan’s allocation will rise to RM450.7 million next year.
She was responding to a question on the status of JALB projects, particularly as the state often faces year-end natural disasters.
Project monitoring is conducted through federal, ministry and state coordination meetings, reports and field visits.
Rubiah acknowledged some projects face delays, prompting corrective measures to ensure timely completion.
In a separate response, she said 553 hectares of abandoned rubber plantations in Sarawak have been rehabilitated this year.
Another 365 hectares are currently undergoing restoration under the Abandoned Rubber Plantation Programme (PGT).
The effort involves 608 smallholder farmers with an allocation of RM3.3 million this year.
Last year, 243 hectares were rehabilitated, benefiting 142 smallholders with RM656,000.
Overall, 796 hectares have been successfully rehabilitated in Sarawak at a total cost of RM3.956 million, benefiting 750 smallholders.
