THE Works Ministry has every reason to beam with pride after it became the first and only ministry to score five stars under the Star Rating System of the Malaysian Administrative, Modernisation and Management Planning Unit. 

Led by Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, the ministry has, over the years, achieved great strides in improving the country's roads.

In fact, it is Mohd Zin's wish for Malaysian roads to be on par with major highways of the world and provide high levels of safety and comfort.

"The ministry is vested with a heavy responsibility to build the nation's infrastructure and public utilities, with the motto 'Towards People Comfort'. 

"The ministry's roles and tasks have increased over the years in meeting the demands of Malaysia's rapid development," he said.

The Works Ministry continues to remain committed to strategic planning and efficiency in developing and maintaining roads, expressways and highways for the benefit and comfort of road users, as well as to ensure that the country is well-connected.

With the help of strategic partners such as Federal JKR, Sabah JKR and Sarawak JKR, it has built 16,500km of roads throughout the country.

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he was looking forward to the upgrading of federal roads which would help spur greater economic growth in the state.

"We have been looking forward to new federal roads of the Works Ministry since many of the roads are old and need upgrading.

"We are happy to have received a lot of support from the Federal Government, which granted us RM330 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to upgrade these roads."

He said since the state was close to Kuala Lumpur, good roads and sound infrastructure would encourage more people to live in Seremban and travel to work in Kuala Lumpur.

Negri Sembilan Public Works Department director Dr Roslan Mohd Taha said the ministry and minister had been very supportive of the maintenance of federal roads in the state.

"For example, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Munit Kasmin had approved an allocation of RM20 million last year for the maintenance of federal and Felda roads in the state. 

"At the same time, the ministry also looked into our request for RM20 million to upgrade bridges which are narrow and pose a danger."

Dr Roslan said the state PWD was satisfied with the action taken by the ministry to maintain roads.

"Officers from the state PWD are often invited to meetings organised by the ministry and this has greatly enhanced our relationship.

"We also welcome efforts by Munit who goes to the field to inspect roads and communicates with his subordinates to improve road networks." 

He said the RM5 incentive for ministry staff who snapped pictures of defective roads was a step in the right direction.

"This is an excellent move and very effective as we have an extensive network of roads."