Johor Bahru, 8^th May 2023 – The Ministry of Works (MOW) is concerned about the safety and comfort of the road users on the Pasir Gudang Expressway (FT17) which has received attention recently. The Minister of MOW YB Dato Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has personally inspected the progress of the upgrading and maintenance of the road.

There are two (2) upgrading projects on the route that have been approved under the implementation of the Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) in phases, namely the Johor Pasir Gudang Expressway (FT17) Upgrading Project from Four (4) Lanes to Six (6) Lanes, Phase 2B and Phase 3.

Phase 2B, which is from the Bandar Seri Alam/Taman Rinting Interchange to the Pasir Gudang Interchange, is in the construction stage, the design and build project is expected to be completed in October 2025. While for Phase 3, which is from the Perling Interchange to the Utara Expressway ramp the South has been approved under Rolling Plan 3, Rancangan Malaysia Ke-12 (RP3, RMKe-12) and is now at the planning stage to confirm the scope and the cost of the project.

In order to ensure that the implementation of this project considers the views and interests of all relevant parties, the verification of the scope and cost of the project will go through the Value Management process with the Ministry of Economy and involve various agencies and stakeholders including agencies at the state level and utility companies. The Value Management Lab at the Value Study stage for the Phase 3 project is expected to be implemented in August 2023.

The works to upgrade the FT17 route for both Phase 2B and Phase 3 will involve widening the road along 12.5 kilometers including repairing and upgrading existing flyover structures, bridges and overpasses. This project is also a continuation of the Phase 1 upgrading project which was completed in 2016 and Phase 2A which was completed in 2018.

The overall implementation of the FT17 upgrading project will help to disperse traffic, especially during peak hours, in addition to benefiting road users commuting to the industrial area, the administrative centre of Kota Iskandar as well as residents in housing estates along the route.

In addition, road maintenance works that include the scope of routine maintenance work as well as periodic repair of pavements and bridges are also carried out for the comfort and safety of road users. Government has approved an allocation of RM107.34 million for road maintenance works for the entire federal route in the State of Johor for the year 2023 and about RM5.24 million of this is specifically for maintenance works on the FT17 route.

Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, 5 Mei 2023 - Minister of Works (MOW), YB Dato Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was invited by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) last Friday to conclude   the ceremony of Anugerah Kecemerlangan Personel Industri Lebuh Raya (APKIL) 2022 at Tan Sri M. Yusuff hall.

This ceremony is a token of appreciation for the personnel of the highway industry who had performed excellently. YB Dato Seri Alexander expressed his aspiration for this award that it can motivate their enthusiasm to continue to work more efficiently and innovatively in helping to advance and improve this industry in various aspects such as management, development, and highway services.

A total of seven award categories were presented by Minister of Works and accompanied by the Secretary General of MOW YBhg. Datuk Seri Haji Hasnol Zam Zam Bin Haji Ahmad and LLM Chief Director Dato’ Ir. Mohd Shuhaimi Bin Hassan to 76 award recipients.

Among the award categories received are Achievement Award for Signing a Land Lease Agreement, the Special Excellence Award for Highway Industry Personnel and the Outstanding Service Award (Highway Concession Company Category).

YB Dato Seri Alexander also spoke about efforts to build a more sustainable and competitive highway industry in stimulating the country’s economic growth. For this purpose, the government has agreed to implement the Multi Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) toll collection. The use of MLFF technology will benefit highway users by reducing traffic congestion and speeding up travel times, in addition to improving management and toll collection efficiency for concessionaires.

LLM together with related parties will implement a Proof of Concept (POC) of the MLFF on the Sungai Besi Expressway (BESRAYA) using a combination of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology by the end of October 2023. The implementation of the POC aims to verify the efficiency of the MLFF front end gantry system against the Key Performance Indicators set in highway operators that this technology will work effectively and efficiently in real traffic situations.

The needs and wishes of highway users are the priority of the highway industry. They are the focus of every initiative and decision made by the Government together with LLM and concession companies. This includes ensuring the quality and reliability of highways, providing basic facilities such as rest and treatment areas, emergency assistance and ensuring the safety of highway users.

BATU PAHAT, JOHOR, 21st March 2023 – Following the flood disaster that hit several states in Malaysia, the Post-Cabinet Meeting of the Prime Minister Office (PMO) No. 8 of 2023 dated 17th March 2023 has decided to re-mobilize the Civil Servant Volunteer Team from all ministries/departments/agencies for post-flood management.

A total of 12 volunteers from the Ministry of Public Works (MOW) and 19 volunteers from the Public Works Department (PWD) Headquarters led by Encik Muhamaad Murthada Bin Rosli have been mobilized to the affected areas around Batu Pahat.

This team has cleaned the area of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tenaga Setia, Sembrong Health Clinic, Ministry of Health Malaysia and Sembrong Futsal Hall in Batu Pahat, Johor for two days on 21^st and 22^nd March 2023.

GENEVA, 15^th MARCH 2023 – The award ceremony was held in conjunction with the WSIS Forum 2023 at ITU UM, Geneva on 13-17^th March 2023. The World Summit on the Information Prizes is a platform to evaluate projects and activities that have major impact on the application of ICTs technology in driving sustainable development. WSIS is also a global platform in identifying and showcasing the successful application of WSIS Action Lines and Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

This selection is the result of expert evaluation and online voting from around the world. A total of 900 projects from around the world have participated in the WSIS Prizes 2023 competition. PWD Malaysia through the Electrical Engineering Branch has submitted an entry titled ‘Intelligent Project Supervision and Monitoring System 2.0’ or better known as i-Supervision.

i-Supervision 2.0 can comprehensively monitor construction projects using the latest technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented Reality (AR) and has been implemented on several projects such as Petrajaya Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Lawas Hospital , Sarawak and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Nilai. i-Supervision 2.0 is expected to be able to boost the country's construction industry to a new level, in line with the Industrial Revolution (IR4.0).

KUALA LUMPUR, 7^th MARCH 2023 - The organization of the Kuala Lumpur International Pavement Seminar (KLIPS 2023) which was held for the first time has attracted various domestic and foreign industry players to jointly exhibit the latest innovations and technologies in the road construction and maintenance sector to coincide with the seminar theme "Leveraging Innovation Towards Green Technology and Resilient Pavement.”

The opening speech was delivered virtually by the Minister of Public Works, YB Dato’ Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi and the opening gimmick was perfected by the Deputy Minister of Public Works, YB Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahman Haji Mohamad. The two-day seminar took place at the Connexion Conference & Event (CCEC), Bangsar South.

This seminar brought research experts with 17 presentation papers from home and abroad who also presented their research results and exchanged views on the use of recycled road pavement materials. This seminar was also attended by 500 participants with 22 exhibitors from 20 countries. With the hope that by organizing such seminar, Malaysia will increase the percentage of recycled road pavement materials to be more sustainable and save road maintenance costs.

At the same time, a book published by Road Engineering Association Malaysia (REAM) was also launched, namely Guidelines on Cold Mix Standard for Permanent Pothole Patching. This book is a reference for players in the road construction industry to carry out pothole patching work by using “cold mix” materials.

ROMPIN, PAHANG, 5^th MARCH 2023 – A road closure incident occurred on 1^st March 2023, at 7.15 am due to continuous heavy rain and a column water phenomenon on route FT2490, Section 2.80, Jalan Masuk ke Perwira Jaya and Selancar, Rompin, Pahang where the existing sewers cannot accommodate the water capacity that is too high.

The road is a route that connects the local residents of Felda Selancar to Segamat and also to Muadzam Shah, Pahang. The estimated length of the ruins is 23 meters long. In order to ensure the safety of users and local residents, the route has been closed to all types of vehicles where warning signs have been installed to provide guidance to road users.

For the purpose of communication and logistics of the local population, the temporary installation of 140-foot Modular Steel Panel Bridge or Bailey Bridge is being actively implemented. The components of the temporary bridge were moved to the location on March 2, 2023 (Thursday) from the Kuala Pilah District JKR, Negeri Sembilan and Petaling District JKR depots, Selangor.

Based on the conditions and situation at the site, erosion stabilization works were carried out on March 4^th 2023 (Saturday) before the installation of the Bailey bridge began. The Malaysian Public Works Department (PWD) has collaborated with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) for the installation and construction of the Bailey Bridge is 72 hours and the opening of the road will be notified as soon as the installation work is completed and safe for road users. To monitor the latest developments, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works, YBhg. Dato’ Wira Wan Ahmad Uzir bin Haji Wan Sulaiman inspected the installation works.

As a result of the unpredictable weather and flood disaster that hit the country, the Federal Road infrastructure was also affected and the damage caused need to be repaired. Permanent damage repair work in several affected states will be carried out as soon as the allocation is received by the Ministry with an estimated cost of RM129.30 million.

PETALING JAYA, 27^th FEBRUARY 2023 - PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is targeting more than 100 food stalls operating in rest and recovery (R&R) areas along its 1,130 kilometer highway network to offer the Rahmah Menu by mid-March. This step is to respond to the recommendation of the Minister of Public Works, YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi as well as support for the initiative of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to help reduce the cost of living of the people.

The First Phase of the Rahmah Menu for highway users who stop for a break at R&R PLUS has been offered since 23^rd February, 2023 at several R&R as well as a Side Stop in the Central Region on the PLUS Highway.

At R&R PLUS, Rahmah Menu is offered for lunch (between 12 noon to 2 pm) and dinner (between 7 pm to 9 pm) at selected participating stalls. To begin with, a total of 8 R&Rs and 6 Side Stops have started offering the Rahmah Menu to highway users, namely Tapah R&R (North & South), Ulu Bernam R&R (South), Rawang R&R (North), Sungai Buloh Overpass Restaurant, R&R Seremban (North direction), R&R Dengkil (North & South direction), Simpang Pulai Side Stop (North & South direction), Serdang Side Stop (North & South direction) and Nilai Side Stop (North & South direction).

The Second Phase involving R&R and Side Stops in the Northern Region is expected to be implemented before March 2, while the Third Phase involving the Southern Region and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is scheduled to be implemented before 9^th March.

The Minister of Public Works together with the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, YB Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub came to the field to conduct a review of the Rahmah Menu implementation at R&R Dengkil (Southern Direction), today.

Director General of The Malaysian Highway Authority, Dato’ Ir. Mohd Shuhaimi Hassan, PLUS Board Member and UEM Group Managing Director, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani and PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi are also present during the visit.

KUALA LUMPUR, 20^th February 2023 – Minister of Public Works, YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi today held a meeting with G1, G2 and G3 small contractors from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor di Dewan Tan Sri Mahfoz Khalid Hall, Ministry of Public Works Complex.

This engagement and interaction session is part of the ongoing initiative of the Minister of Public Works to interact directly to find solutions to the issues and challenges faced by small contractors in the implementation of government and private projects. Through this session, small contractors can express their views to the Minister of Public Works also the heads of departments and agencies under the Ministry.

Among the issues that have been touched on include the issue of project value for G1 contractors, contractors and foreign workers, the increase in the price of building materials, loan funds, and course fees and also the issue of contractor registration.

This annual initiative is in line with the concept of Whole of Government/Whole of Society which is raised as one of the pillars of Malaysia Madani which is based on equal access, shared values as well as the Government’s concern for the difficulties faced by industrialists in strengthening the development of Malaysia.

This council is also in line with the value of Ihsan under the concept of Madani Malaysia, which is concern and being concerned about the difficulties faced by small business people and further exploring appropriate methods to solve the issues and challenges they face.

Also present at the ceremony were the Deputy Secretary General (Policy and Development) of the Ministry of Public Works Dato' Zaharul Hakim bin Abdullah, the Chief Executive of the Malaysian Construction Industry Board (CIDB) Datuk Ir. Ahmad 'Asri Abdul Hamid, Director General of the Public Works Department (PWD) Datuk Ir. Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool and the Director General of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) Dato' Ir. Mohd Shuhaimi Bin Hassan.

AYER KEROH, MALACCA, 16^th FEBRUARY 2023 – Electric vehicles owners using the highway network under PLUS Expressways Berhad (PLUS) will enjoy a more comfortable jouney when 18 TNB Electron charging facilities are made available to them by the end of this year, as a result of the collaboration between Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and PLUS with the support of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

The launch ceremony of the first TNB Electron vehicle charging facility at the Rest and Recuperation (R&R) at Ayer Keroh (Northern Direction) at Plus Highway was completed by YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Public Works of Malaysia (MOW) by today.

Also present were the Chief Secretary of KKR, Dato’ Wira Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman; Director General of the Malaysian Highway Authority, Dato’ Ir. Mohd Shuhaimi Hassan; President/Chief Executive Officer of TNB, Dato’ Indera Ir. Baharin Din, PLUS Board Member and UEM Group Managing Director, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani.

At this point, TNB Electron charging facilities are available at 3 R&Rs, namely Ayer Keroh (Northern direction), Tapah (Northern direction) on the North-South Expressway and Paka (Northern direction) on East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2). Six more TNB Electron are being developed at R&R Machap (Southern direction), Rawang (Northern direction), Gunung Semanggol (Southern direction), Gurun (Northern and Southern directions) and Paka (Southern direction) which are expected to be completed this year.

This collaboration between TNB and PLUS is in line with Malaysia's aspirations towards a carbon neutral country. The use of electricity at 9 TNB Electron, which is estimated at 99,000 kWh of electricity throughout the year 2023, will be able to avoid the release of 7.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide in the same period, which is equivalent to the trapping of greenhouse gases by 8.5 acres of forest per year. TNB's Energy Transition Agenda targets net zero energy by 2050 through a 35% reduction in carbon emission intensity by 2035.

Therefore, several initiatives were also implemented with a focus on further expanding kWh solutions, electric vehicles, Renewable Energy as well as green energy initiatives including the installation of solar roofs and energy monitoring systems as a complement to the PLUS Environmental Sustainability initiative. PLUS and TNB will continue discussions related to low-carbon mobility and improving energy efficiency by optimizing electricity costs while supporting green energy sources.

Kuala Berang, Terengganu, 14^th February 2023 - A total of 142 trainees, including 17 excellent trainees, were celebrated during the Graduation Ceremony of Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM) and CIDB Technologies Sdn Bhd (CIDB Tech) East Region 2023 at the ABM East Region Great Hall, Kuala Berang, Terengganu. They are trainees from 17 trades (categories) in construction skills competency training involving the building cluster, Industrial Building System (IBS), Crane Operation, Mechanical and Electrical, Welding and Blasting & Painting.

In conjunction with this Graduation Ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Public Works (MOW), YB Dato' Sri Abdul Rahman Haji Mohamad officiated and presented the Outstanding Trainer Award, Certificate of Appreciation and Construction TVET Icon Award. Also present at this graduation ceremony was the Secretary General of KKR, YBhg. Dato' Wira Wan Ahmad Uzir bin Hj. Wan Sulaiman and Chief Executive of CIDB Malaysia, YBhg. Datuk Ir. Ahmad 'Asri Abdul Hamid.

In the ceremony, an alumnus of ABM Eastern Region, Hafizatul Najmi Pizat, 35 years old, was crowned as the recipient of the Construction TVET Icon Award. He is a former student in the field of Electrical Wiring (Wireman PW4) in 2008. Armed with a CIDB SKKP certificate at the beginning of his career, he is now a young entrepreneur who has six business branches, namely businesses such as electrical wiring, electrical goods trading, house construction , convenience stores, hospitality and tourism services.

Meanwhile, seven (7) industry partners namely Petronas Chemical Group, Kolej Yayasan Pahang Advanced Skill, Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH), Yayasan Pendidikan Maidam, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), DNR Training Center and MKA Consult have received certificates of appreciation for their services and contributions for sponsoring and providing job opportunities to ABM and CIDB Tech Eastern Region trainees.

ABM and CIDB Technologies are assessment and training centers under the management of CIDB Malaysia that provide opportunities for youth and construction personnel to deepen their skills in the construction industry. To date, ABM and CIDB Technologies (East, North, Central, South, Sabah and Sarawak Regions) have produced 405,833 skilled construction workers across the country through youth programs and construction personnel. ABM and CIDB Tech campuses operate in economic corridor areas throughout Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Johor, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.