The government’s approval of the allocation to upgrade the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday would not only resolve the safety issues faced by road users but also economically benefit Perak and Kelantan.
Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the allocation is proof of the federal government’s concern for infrastructure maintenance issues in the state, particularly roads.
“We want to thank the Finance Ministry for prioritising the federal roads in Perak, particularly Gerik-Jeli JRTB, about which we receive many complaints due to the frequency of accidents caused by damage.
“Alhamdulillah, the federal government is acknowledging the importance of this road upgrade as a result of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad bringing the matter up with Anwar directly in January,” he told Bernama when contacted today.
Yesterday, Anwar announced the approval for the allocation to upgrade the JRTB during the tabling of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review (MTR) in Parliament.
In August, Anwar announced an additional RM30 million to upgrade the Gerik-Jeli stretch of the highway under the 2023 Budget in February, bringing the total allocation to RM75.676 million.
Meanwhile, motorist Nik Kamarul Ariffin Nik Abd Kadir, 39, said the Prime Minister’s announcement is a great relief to road users as the stretch is unsafe because it is dilapidated.
“I have no choice but to take that route twice a month. The government’s concern is a great relief to those who use the JRTB,” said Nik Kamarul, who commutes between Batu Gajah and Pasir Mas.
Another motorist, John Bunyan, 35, said travelling along the road is scarier at night as it poses other dangers, such as herds of elephants crossing the road.
“Regular commuters will know the location of the potholes or damaged parts so that we can avoid it at night, but if you are not familiar be prepared for your rims to be bent or tyres to burst,” he said.
As for Ahmad Yusri Ahmad Cabi, 40, the upgrading of the Gerik-Jeli route has been long awaited by the community, including those who travel to neighbouring states.
“I have waited a long time for this because we have been complaining about it for a long time. He said it is also essential for developing and boosting the socio-economic ties with neighbouring states,” he said.
He thanked the state government for successfully voicing the issue to the federal government for the safety of the increasing number of road users on the route.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency