KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry will review and re-prioritise projects under the 9th Malaysia plan (9MP), including downsizing some, to heed the prime minister's call to stabilize oil and food prices.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said yesterday all 9MP projects were in the midterm review stage, and the would work with the Public Works Department on the exercise.

He said there were two options for road projects, "First, we will consider downsizing the projects, like reducing dual carriageways, meant to ease traffic congestion during weekends, to single carriageways.

"Secondly, We will try to upgrade the current toad infrastructure without having to build a new one to ease congestion," he said after the post-cabinet meeting.

Mohd Zin added that the ministry would meet the Transport Ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall on easing congestion in five hotspots.

Projects under review include upgrading of Federal Road 1 to a coastal highway to stimulate economic growth; improve 150 "blackspots" along federal roads to make them less accident prone; and construction of an outer ring road in Malacca.

"However, decisions on these projects have yet to be finalized."

Mohd Zin also said one priority project was the alignment of roads in Sarawak, Which had been designated the new ricebowl.

The cabinet had also agreed to raise the axle load of commercial vehicles on federal roads from 10 to 12 tonnes as all bridges had been upgraded to support heavier loads.

Forty Tamil schools would be upgraded, said Mohd Zin, adding that tenders for the RM41.5 million projects would be called from next month.

On the proposal to benefic F-class contractors by giving them 10% of projects worth RM10 million and above, he clarified that the 10% would be shared by about 17,000 contractors.

For example, 10% of a RM10 million project (RM1 million) can be shared by five F-class contractors, who are each allowed to undertake only projects which cost not more than RM200,000.

On MCA's objection that the award of such projects should be via open tender, Mohd Zin said the party had accepted his explanation.